Diabetic foot care: Self reported practice among patients attending family medicine outpatient clinics

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Aim. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) foot complications are a leading cause of mortality in developing countries. Regular foot care is the most effective method to prevent diabetic foot. The aim of this study was to determine the practice of foot care among diabetes patients attending Family Medicine outpatient clinics. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study carried out from February to April 2012 in Family Medicine outpatient clinics of Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital. Structured questionnaires about foot care behavior were administered to diabetic patients. The practice scores were classified as ‘poor’ if score was 0-4, ‘avarage’ if score was 5-8 and good if score was 9-12. Results. The study involved 200 diabetic patients with a mean age 61.5 (±11.3) years. The mean foot care assessment score was 5.99 (±2.4). Married patients’ and patients’ who were previously informed about diabetic foot care in any health facility assessment scores, were higher (p 0.05). Low educational status was significantly associated with poor practice of foot care. Majority (83%) of patients were with ‘poor’ or ‘average’ practice of foot care. Conclusion. Diabetic patients’ foot care is inadequate. In order to prevent diabetic foot, training in foot care should be given to all patients.

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Diabetes Mellitus , diabetic foot , patient , centered care

Cumhuriyet Medical Journal

428

Cumhuriyet Medical Journal