Knowledge, behavior and factors related to foot care in diabetes patients at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including damage to the feet. Diabetes patients with improper knowledge and behavior will develop foot complications. Objectives: (1) To survey the level of knowledge and behavior of foot care of diabetic patients at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. (2) To investigate factors related to the level of knowledge and behavior of foot care in patients with diabetes. Methodology: Cross-sectional description on 108 patients diagnosed with diabetes according to ADA 2021 criteria. The study used questionnaires (Modified Diabetes Foot Care Knowledge - MDFCK) to assess knowledge of diabetic foot care and questionnaires (Modified Foot Care Behavior - MDFCB) to assess diabetic foot care behavior. Results: the diabetic foot care knowledge score was at a poor level (mean score 6.33 ± 2.8) of which 13.9% of them had good knowledge, 32.4% had moderate and 52.7% had poor knowledge. Diabetic foot care behaviors were at poor level (mean 54.36 ± 8.4) of which 64.8% had poor behaviors and 35.2% had moderate behaviors. Low education, time of diabetes for < 5 years and no previous diabetes foot care instructions were predictive factors for poor MDFCK and MDFCB. Good knowledge of diabetic foot care can lead to good caring behavior. Age ≥ 65 has no effect on MDFCB but has a negative effect on MDFCK. Conclusion: the diabetic foot care knowledge score and diabetic foot care behavior score were poor. Health education counseling programs based on relevant factors should be provided to improve the self-care capacity of people with diabetes. Key words: Diabetes, Diabetic Foot Care Knowledge, Diabetic Foot Care Behaviors.