Awareness of Foot Care among Diabetic Patients in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Saudi population is being associated with many health consequences among diabetic patients. One of the serious complications is diabetic ulcer. Aim: To assess the awareness, attitudes, practices and risk factors influencing diabetic foot ulcers among diabetes patients in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study consistent of 38 questions conducted in Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, distributed between 8-Feb-2018 to 1-June-2018 through social media. The structured questionnaire was designed to collect demographic characteristics, in addition to several questions about history of foot problems, current foot or leg problems, foot care, foot wear, safety and prevention and foot care education. Result: Two hundred and ninety-three participated in the questionnaire, of whom 197 were female and 96 were male. The majority of participant (154) had been diagnosed with T2DM. About the treatment which was multiple choice: 55.3% were using oral hypoglycemic drugs, 34.1% using insulin and 31.1% were using diet while the rest were using parenteral hypoglycemic drugs. Most participants (60.1%) reported having altered sensation (i.e. numbness) in their lower limbs. One hundred twelve of participants examined their feet only when they had problem. Only 50.2% drying well between the toes. About using moisturizing cream for the foot and using cream between toes 39.2%, 19.8% were saying yes 37.9% and 31.1% were answer sometimes while the rest 22.9% and 49.1% answer no, respectively. Participants wore more than one type of shoe, with athletic being used by 46.8% of participants, 29.4% wear broad and round toes, 23.2% were wear shoes which made of leather or canvas. Walking barefoot inside the home was 44.7%. Most participants (50.2%) didn’t inspect the shoes before wearing them. Forty participants didn’t check about the water temperature before soaking feet, 42% check about it while the other didn’t soak the feet. For sitting with legs crossed 54.9%. Around 95% of participants want handout on how to care for the feet. Conclusion: Foot care is crucial to prevent serious complications in diabetic patients. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures should be followed to ensure adequate and proper foot care. The participants in this study had inadequate information and poor practice toward the appropriate foot care.