Knowledge of Risk Factors for Foot Ulceration among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria

Martins Ehizode Emuze; Taoreed Adegoke Azeez; Arinola Esan; Jokotade Adeleye; William Balogun; Temilola Akande

doi:10.18502/ijdo.v13i3.7184

Martins Ehizode Emuze Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Taoreed Adegoke Azeez Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Arinola Esan Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Jokotade Adeleye Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
William Balogun Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Temilola Akande Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdo.v13i3.7184

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic foot ulcer, Knowledge

Abstract

Objective: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a relatively common complication of diabetes mellitus and constitutes a major cause of mortality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of risk factors for foot ulceration among patients with diabetes in a tertiary health facility in South Western Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was initiated with participation of 100 diabetic patients. Diabetic patients were attending the medical outpatient clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. A structured and validated questionnaire was administered and data was analyzed using SPSS 22. Association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of risk factors for foot ulceration was evaluated by chi-square test.

Results: Most of respondents were female (66%). The mean age of the patients was 58.77 (±11.8) years and 51% of patients did not know that it is possible to develop foot ulcer without feeling pain and 30% did not know that features suggestive of neuropathy could be associated with development of foot ulcer. 75% did not know that surgical vascular repair could play any role in the healing of a diabetic foot ulcer. 11% of patients were walking barefooted at home and as much as 63% of respondents did not know that poor longterm glycemic control could be a risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulcers.

Conclusion: The knowledge of the patients attending the diabetes clinic of a tertiary hospital in south-western Nigeria on foot care is generally poor. Education in this direction is very paramount to correct this defect.