LEVEL OF EDUCATION AMONG DIABETIC PATIENT REGARDING DIABETIC FOOT IN MAKKAHPOPULATION

Background: As many of diabetic complications, diabetic foot are avoidable however proper education is essential as it leads the patient to be aware of the problem and its prevention which can save the patient's feet from amputations. Objectives: To assess knowledge of diabetic patients regarding foot care and its determinants. Subjects and methods: A retrospective study has been carried out to compare diabetic patients without foot problems to those who had them. It included all diabetic patients from four major hospitals in Makkah with and without Diabetic foot from Makkah city. A study-specific questionnaire was designed included general information, level of education, and added questions at the end to measure the knowledge. Results: The study included 392 patients. Their age ranged between 13 and 90 years (53.6 +/- 13.3 years). Almost two-thirds of the patients were males (62%). Majority were Saudis (86.1%). Type II diabetes was reported by 52.1% of the patients. Regular compliance with diabetic clinic/center was mentioned by 65% of them. Adherence to anti-diabetics was reported by majorities (87%). History of feet wound lasted 3-4 weeks was reported among 42.9% of diabetic patients. Where is a history of amputation was reported among 20.9% of them. The mean knowledge score was 5.6 out of 10 (56%). Good knowledge regarding foot care was higher among younger patients (<= 30 years) compared to older patients (>50 years (68% versus 41.4%, p<0.001). Majority of postgraduate patients (87%) compared to 34.7% of illiterate patients had good knowledge regarding foot care knowledge, p<0.001. The highest level of good knowledge regarding foot care was reported among patients with onset of diabetes between 11 and 20 years (70%) whereas the lowest level was reported among those with onset after 20 years (46.2%), p=0.011. Good foot care knowledge was more reported among type 1 than type 2 patients (73.3% versus 51.7%, p<0.001). Regular compliance with diabetic Clinic/center was accompanied with higher knowledge level, p<0.001. Also, adherence to anti-diabetics was accompanied with higher knowledge level, p=0.011. Conclusion: Knowledge of diabetic foot care in Makkah is moderate (56%), younger, more educated, type 1 diabetic patients and those who attended diabetic clinics regularly and being more compliant with anti-diabetics were more knowledgeable. Heath education programs are recommended particularly to older and less educated patients. In addition, patients should be encouraged to attend diabetic clinics regularly.