TITLE:
Assessment of Foot Care Knowledge among Diabetic Amputees at National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu
AUTHORS:
Osita Ede, Gabriel O. Eyichukwu, Emmanuel C. Iyidobi, Basil C. Nwachukwu
KEYWORDS:
Diabetics, Amputation, Foot Care, Knowledge
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.6 No.4,
April
13,
2018
ABSTRACT: Diabetics with unilateral lower extremity amputation (LEA) have an increased risk of contralateral re-amputation. Foot care knowledge and practice has been shown to reduce the incidence of amputation. The study aims to assess the level of foot care knowledge among diabetics with unilateral LEA. Method: A questionnaire based study involving diabetics with unilateral LEA from August 2015 to August 2017. Demographic data and level of foot care knowledge were assessed. Associations between age, gender, educational level, prior amputation and duration of diabetes with level of foot care knowledge were investigated. The presence of peripheral neuropathy in the contralateral leg was also assessed. Results: A total of 64 patients had unilateral LEA within this period, but only 42 patients completed the study. Twenty-four, 24 (57.1%) were males while 18 (42.9%) were females. Mean age was 58.3 years (SD = 12.0). Fifteen, 15 (35.7%) had secondary, 15 (35.7%) had tertiary education, while 3 (7.1%) and 9 (21.4%) had none and primary education respectively. Below knee amputation (BKA) was the commonest (78.6%), and 35.7% have had a prior amputation. Peripheral neuropathy was present in 71.4% of cases. No participant had a good level of foot care knowledge, while 13 (31%) have a fair knowledge and 29 (69%) have poor knowledge. Only 18 (42%) said they have been taught on foot care. Only duration of diabetes and educational level were significantly associated with level of foot care knowledge. Conclusion: Diabetics with unilateral LEA have poor knowledge of foot care and a high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy. Efforts at education of these susceptible cohorts should be intensified.