The Magnitude and Associated Factors of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Among Patients with Chronic Diabetic Mellitus in Northeast Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic disease and its complications are major public health problems that result in long-term hospitalization, amputation, and poor quality of life for patients. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of diabetic foot ulcers among patients with chronic diabetic mellitus in northeast Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample was selected using a systematic random sampling technique based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a self-administered pre-tested structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS 25 for statistical analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dependent and independent variables. All variables with P -value <0.25 were included in multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals and considered significant with P -value <0.05 in final statistical significance was used to determine the level of association. Results: The overall 283 samples of diabetic cases in the follow-up were included. The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer was 7.1% (95% CI=3.92, 47.2%). Duration greater than 5 years (AOR=2.28, 95% CI=3.04, 17.69), history of ulceration (AOR=7.24, 95%, CI=1.25, 11.78), peripheral neuropathy (AOR=5.77, 95% CI=1.33, 12.155), oral hypoglycemic (AOR=3.2, 95% CI=4.02, 4.36) and insulin (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.75, 4.36) were found to be the significant factors of diabetic foot ulcer. Conclusion: The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer patients was 7.2% and associated with duration of diabetes mellitus, history of ulceration, peripheral neuropathy, and oral hypoglycemic medication. Therefore, attention is needed for prevention, early detection, and caring for foot ulcers.