An Experimental Study to Assess the Knowledge about Foot Care before and after Education among Type 2 Diabetic Adult in the Eastern Province Region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is regarded as one of the most difficult public health issues, with 422 million adult population worldwide living with diabetes in 2014, up from 108 million in 1980. Diabetic foot (DF) disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. This complication affects nearly half of all patients and accounts for nearly 80% of all nontraumatic lower limb amputations. Proper patient awareness about foot care is an important defence line in preventing DF problems and amputation. The primary goal of this study was to assess diabetic patients' knowledge of DF, as well as their adherence to foot care, and to make recommendations for additional steps to be taken to avoid the complications of foot damage. The significant difference between pre and post knowledge score in this study demonstrates that education and regular attention on diabetic patients may prevent disability and reduce medical care expenditure in the future. Furthermore, a special training programme may pave the way for diabetic patients to have a bright future by reducing foot complications. Providing resources and special training for health providers will ensure regular foot care and education, which should be a priority of any diabetes prevention strategy. Because the study shows significant results on education to improve foot care knowledge, it is also recommended that both theory and practical based training programmes be conducted to improve patient knowledge and avoid foot complications. Finally, nurses should be encouraged to use the knowledge they have gained to educate diabetic patients.