Knowledge, Practice and Barriers of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Among Diabetic Patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Background: In 2013, globally, there were an estimated 382 million people living with diabetes. In 2005 worldwide 3 %–10 % of people with diabetes have a diabetic foot ulcer. Ethiopian diabetic patient’s foot ulcer is main health problem. Diabetic Foot ulcer associated with sepsis results in 12% of death. Understanding of the important factors of diabetic foot ulcer in diabetics’ patients will enable high-risk patients to be recognized early.Objectives: To determine knowledge, practice and barriers of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern EthiopiaMethods: Researcher conducted a  hospital based cross sectional study among diabetic patients who were followed-up in HCSH  from April to May, 2017 GCA.A total of 139  diabetic patients were  included  in  the  study.  Study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. The data was collected through interview method.  Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.00.Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with diabetic patients. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI were computed to measure the associations between the outcome variable. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant result.Results: Out of 139 diabetic patients, 27.3% and46.8% diabetic patients have good knowledge and practice of diabetic foot ulcer care respectively. The mean score knowledge and practice was 7.1±4.63 and 8.77± 2.27.  Practice of diabetic foot ulcer was significantly associated with being female  [AOR=0.42;  95%  CI:  0.21,  0.86],  not  using  moisturizer  for  diabetic  foot  ulcer  care [AOR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.20,  0.85], hearing  about diabetic foot ulcer care [AOR=36.99; 95% CI: 4.58, 6.95], and age of patients >=61 years [AOR=3.94; 95% CI: .25, 2.38] Conclusion and recommendation: Significant proportion of diabetic patients has good knowledge about diabetic foot ulcer care.  Nearly half of diabetic patients have good practice of diabetic foot ulcer care. Gender and use moisturizer were identified factors with practice of diabetic foot ulcer care. So, more effort should be put into creating awareness about diabetic foot ulcer. Emphasis also needs to be given for diabetic patients< 61 years old

Keywords: diabetic patients, diabetic foot ulcer, knowledge, practice, and barrier