"Foot care practices among type 2 diabetics attending a primary care military hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia"

ABSTRACT

To determine foot care practices among type 2 diabetic patients without previous history of foot problems attending primary care clinics in Prince Mansour Military Community Hospital [PMMCH], Taif, Saudi Arabia. A Cross-sectional descriptive study using a convenient non probability sample was done during August and September 2010. 188 type 2 diabetic patients were questioned using a predesigned questionnaire sheet after reviewing their medical files. Collected data included socio-demographic features, medical condition, diabetes control and foot care practices, which was later judged using a scoring system to show its quality. Among the studied sample 112/188 [59.6%] were males; mean age was 56.5 years +/- 14.5 SD. Illiteracy was prevalent in 47.9% of them. Poorglycemic control [HbA[1]c>/= 7 mmol] was reported in 75% of the patients. Regular foot checkup has never been performed in 30.3% of the sample, 65.4% never seek medical advice for their foot problems, 61.2% never used special medical shoes and 46.3% never checked inside the shoe before wearing it. Using our scoring system, 63.3% of the studied patients were considered poor in their foot care practices. Educational level was the only factor predicting the level of good foot care practices, those with higher level were found to have better practices [OR=2.179, 95% CI=1.074-4.423 and p<0.05]. Health education programs integrated in comprehensive foot care clinics are crucial to limit foot complications among the growing number of diabetic patients