Mansour Alzahrani
Majmaah University, KSA
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Primary Health Care
Background: Diabetic foot is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) which remains understudied in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a country with an alarming prevalence of DM among adults. Aim: This study aims to determine the knowledge and awareness of DM patients in the district of Majmaah KSA with respect to foot care. Methods: A total of 296 Saudi DM subjects (137males and 159 females) were randomly selected to participate in this crosssectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of information ascertaining demographic information, knowledge of diabetic foot and foot care as well as awareness towards foot wear. Results: Majority of the patients (91.9%) never had a sore or cut on foot or leg that took more than 2 weeks to heal and only 7.1% of patients developed foot ulcer, amputation of toe, foot and leg. Having ulcers, sore, blisters and blood discharge were the least reported problems. Almost all patients wash their feet everyday (97.6%) and more than half of the patients were applying moisturizing cream and drying their feet after washing. More than 95% of the patients never attended a class and read handouts on foot care. Conclusion: DM patients in Majmaah, KSA have good awareness with respect to foot care, but severely lack the needed diabetic foot education that should be provided in primary care centers despite their high interest to learn. Urgent attention is needed to address this important issue to prevent or delay future diabetic complications.
Email: m.alzahrani@mu.edu.sa
