Background: This study is conducted to analyze the diabetic foot ulcer patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding foot care.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the diabetic foot service of a university hospital in Istanbul created the population of this descriptive study. The sample consisted of 73 patients determined by power analysis (95%) and simple random sampling method. A survey form which is consists of 37 questions and created by the researcher is used as the data collection tool. Before beginning the study, the ethics committee approval is obtained. Results are evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and the level of significance is accepted as a p-value of < 0.05.
Results: It is determined that 67.1% (n = 49) of the patients participating in the study are male, 61.6% (n = 45) are married, 95.9% (n = 70) are over 45-years-old, 63% (n = 46) are primary school graduate, and 23.9% (n = 17) had participated in the diabetes education program. In terms of the frequency of doing leg and foot gymnastics, applying cream, walking, shoe control, performing diabetes gymnastics, and selecting socks, there is a statistically significant difference between the patients who engaged in the diabetes education program and the patients who do not (p = 0.00 < 0.05).
Conclusion: It is determined that the majority of patients do not receive training on diabetic foot and do not have a positive attitude about performing certain applications, according to the findings of the study. Concordantly, in order to eliminate the patients' knowledge deficits, it may be suggested that comprehensive and planned training should be provided, the results of the given training should be observed, and the training should be repeated at regular intervals by the nurses, who have a significant role in developing self-care abilities and positive behavioral change in individuals with diabetes.
Diabetic foot, Patient, Knowledge, Attitude, Nurse
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that develops due to insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, or a combination of the two. Diabetes mellitus is becoming more common with each passing year, with the number of people living with diabetes expected to rise 1.5 fold from 463 million in 2019 to 700 million in 2045. Diabetic foot ulcers, one of the most serious complications of diabetes, macrovascular disease and microvascular damage accompanied by neuropathy and ischemic problems, which facilitates the development of infection, ulcer and gangrene and eventually causes morbidity and mortality, is a difficult, long and costly health problem [1,2]. The global prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers has been reported to be 6.3% [3]. Individuals' quality of life suffers as a result of complications caused by diabetic foot ulcers, as well as a rise in mortality and a physical, psychological, and economic burden [2,4,5].
The diabetic foot ulcer is a major health issue that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and has a negative impact on the lives of individuals. The principles of diabetic foot ulcer prevention and treatment include determining the foot at risk, routine foot supervision, patient, family, and healthcare professional education, adequate shoe selection, and treatment of early signs of foot ulcers [6].
The attitudes of diabetic patients towards foot care significantly reduce the risk of ulcer development. Checking the shoes worn on a regular basis, selecting the right shoes, nail clipping, and daily foot control are among the foot care behaviors that should be performed. Besides, while knowledge is necessary for proper foot care, a lack of knowledge precipitates to the development of diabetic foot ulcers [7,8].
Over the last two decades, research has centered on diabetic patients' foot care knowledge, attitudes, and practices with the aim of recognizing obstacles to seeking medical care, enhancing self-care, and making lifestyle changes [2,9,10].
Diabetic foot ulcers are a disorder that can be avoided to a great degree by taking the necessary precautions [11,12]. Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with knowledge and care attitudes. Therefore, diabetic foot ulcers can be avoided by improving the knowledge level of patients about foot care [13,14]. Diabetic patients, according to studies, have an insufficient attitude about foot care and a lack of knowledge about it [2,14-16]. 58% of the patients are reported to have little knowledge about foot care in another study, and 61.8% have a more negative attitude about diabetic foot care [16]. In a study conducted in India, it is observed that very few patients (12.5%) underwent professional foot care training and had little awareness of foot care [15]. In another study, 82.7% of the patients are reported to have a good level of foot care knowledge, however only 22.4% of them had good foot care practices [17].
Studies have improved diabetic foot care practice by supporting higher level of knowledge and positive attitude towards diabetic foot care [18,19]. In light of these findings, this study's aim is to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of diabetic foot ulcer patients about foot care, as well as to contribute to the literature with the findings.
This study is conducted to analyze the diabetic foot ulcer patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding foot care.
Patients with type 2 diabetes who are diagnosed with diabetic foot in a university hospital in Istanbul province between March and December 2017 created the study's population. The sample of the study consisted of patients within the universe who gave consent to participate in the study after being informed by explaining the purpose of the study and who have met the study criteria. The sample size for the analysis is calculated using the 3.1 version of the G*Power program, and the appropriate sample size is achieved using the chi-square goodness of fit test. In order to find out whether there is a difference in the attitudes and knowledge levels of diabetic patients regarding foot care, the sample size which is determined for (2-1)*(2-1) 1 degree of freedom and Cohen's effect size of d = 0.33 (since there are people who receive education and those who do not) at 95% confidence level (α = 0.05 and two-way), 0.80 test power (1-β) is calculated as 73 persons. A pilot study was conducted with 10 patients. Patients in the pilot study were not included in the sampling. Patients with type 2 diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers, above the age of 18 who wanted to participate and patients with grade 1-4 ulcers according to Wagner's classification were included in the study. Patients with mental illness, limb amputation and under 18 years of age were excluded from the study.
The questionnaire used in the study is prepared by the researchers in line with the literature [20]. There are a total of 37 questions on the data collection form, which is divided into two parts: 16 questions on demographic characteristics of patients such as age, gender, smoking status, and treatment type in the first part, and 21 questions related to diabetes and diabetic foot care attitude in the second part. Data are collected using the face-to-face interview technique with patients. Face to face interview was conducted by the researcher for 20 minutes.
Permission is obtained from both The Clinical Research Ethics Committee (No: 2017-52635) and the hospital where the study would be performed before beginning the study. After giving the patients a clarification about the study, their written and verbal consent are obtained.
All data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 22.0 (IBM SPSS, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Turkey) software. Descriptive statistical methods (mean, median, number, percentage) are used in the evaluation. Chi-square tests are used for comparative analysis and independent samples t-test is used for quantitative comparisons. Results are evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and the level of significance is accepted as a p-value of < 0.05.
It is seen in Table 1 that 32.9% (n = 24) of the participants are female, 67.1% (n = 49) are male, 61.6% (n = 45) are married, 95.9% (n = 70) are over the age of 45, 63% (n = 46) are primary school graduates, 32.9% (n = 24) are retired, 20.5% (n = 15) were smokers, 67% (n = 49) are diagnosed with diabetes for more than 6 years, 46.6% (n = 34) used insulin, 90.4% (n = 66) had ulcer treatment, 79.5% (n = 58) had ulcer surgery.
Table 1: Distribution of the Descriptive Characteristics of the Patients (N = 73). View Table 1
However, it is seen in Table 2 that 23.3% (n = 17) of the participants engaged in the diabetes education program, 86.3% (n = 63) thought that patients with diabetes had more ulcers than other people, 80.8% (n = 59) thought patients with diabetes who smoked had more ulcers than non-smokers, 94.5% thought that diabetic patients should regularly perform foot care, 90.4% thought that diabetic patients' feet might have to be amputated due to injuries.
Table 2: Information Status of Patients Regarding Foot Care (N = 73). View Table 2
It is seen that 39.7% (n = 29) of the participants in the study go for a check up once a month, 13.7% (n = 10) do leg and foot gymnastics every day, 64.4% (n = 47) control the water temperature while washing their feet, 75.3% (n = 55) control the color change of the cracked ulcer, 75.3% (n = 55) use cream, 31.5% (n = 23) perform toenail care once a week, 58.9% (n = 43) cut their toenail straight and not too short, 31.5% (n = 23) walk every day, 65.8% (n = 48) do not walk barefoot, 68.5% (n = 50) do not wear slippers and shoes without socks, 53.4% (n = 39) control their shoes, 63% go to the doctor by caring about the ulcer on the foot, 56.2% (n = 41) do not know whether there is diabetes gymnastics or not, 63% (n = 46) wear cotton socks that do not tighten their ankles, 41.1% (n = 30) control the soles of their own feet (Table 3).
Table 3: Distribution of Patients' Attitudes towards Diabetic Foot Care (N = 73). View Table 3
It is found that there is no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in knowledge between the patients who have participated in the diabetes education program and those who do not in the study, however, there is a significant difference in attitudes toward diabetic foot care between the two groups. In terms of the frequency of doing leg and foot gymnastics, applying cream, walking, shoe control, performing diabetes gymnastics, and selecting socks, there is a statistically significant difference between the patients who have engaged in the diabetes education program and the patients who do not (p = 0.00 < 0.05) (Table 4). It is observed that the patients who have engaged in the education program exhibited a more positive attitude about the frequency of doing leg and foot gymnastics, applying cream, walking, shoe control, diabetes gymnastics, and selecting socks.
Table 4: Comparison of Patients' Attitudes According to Their Education Status (N = 73). View Table 4
Although diabetes mellitus occurs more frequently in women, diabetic foot, one of the most common complications of the disease, is more common in men [21]. In the studies of Pourkazemi, et al. [14] and Ahmed, et al. [22], it is observed that the majority of patients with diabetic foot ulcers participating in the study are women, while the majority of patients in this study are men. This condition can be explained by the fact that diabetic foot ulcers occur more often in diabetic male patients in the sample due to a lack of routine preventive care behaviors.
Studies show that male gender, smoking, length of illness, cardiovascular disease, and poor glycemic control are the main risk factors for the development of diabetic foot ulcers [3,18]. In diabetic patients, long-term elevated blood sugar leads to a slew of chronic complications [1]. In their study, Ahmed, et al. [22] have determined that factors such as education and income levels, long diabetes duration, and family history are all effective in the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Eroğlu and Yürügen [1] have found in their study that the majority of patients with diabetic foot ulcers had advanced age and long-term (> 16 years) diabetes. It is determined that the majority of the patients in this study also had diabetes for more than 10 years.
Education of diabetic patients is of great importance in preventing and treating diabetic foot ulcers. Knowledge not only aids in the development of a positive attitude but also in making the right decisions about diabetes. Patient behavior directly affects patient consequence [20].
The inadequacy of education programs regarding diabetic foot and the lack of a team approach to the treatment of complex foot problems are among the possible causes of foot complications in diabetic patients [3,18]. Enabling diabetic patients to acquire knowledge, attitudes, and skills to achieve individual care, and encouraging them to do so will increase their quality of life and reduce their dependence on others [23]. There are some studies in the literature suggesting that providing individuals with education on diabetic foot leads to improvement in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. In the study conducted by Kafaie [24], s/he reported that diabetic patients' average foot care scores improved after education. In the study conducted by Al-Hariri, et al. [18], they have discovered that the majority of patients received education on diabetic foot and had positive attitudes towards foot care. Ahmed, et al. [22] have found in their study that the knowledge of approximately half of the patients about diabetic foot care is at a good level. In patients with type 2 diabetes, Moradi, et al. [23] have discovered that education enhanced foot care practices and metabolic control. Alshammari, et al. [25] have discovered in their study that the majority of the patients are well-educated, with a good level of knowledge and attitudes. On the other hand, several studies have revealed that diabetic patients' foot care knowledge and practices are inadequate [14,26-28]. In the study conducted by Isil [21], it is stated that the majority of diabetic patients did not take diabetic foot care education. The majority of the patients in this study do not have diabetic foot care education, however there is no significant difference between the groups that received education on learning and doing certain practices. This situation can be attributed to the fact that the patients who took part in the study had experience with certain applications as a result of their long-term diabetes.
In both healthy and diabetic individuals, the feet are the most susceptible organs to injury, trauma, and infection. Reduced protective sensation in the feet and toes, slowed blood circulation, dryness and cracks due to a lack of sweating, peripheral vascular disease, and visual impairment all increase the risk [29]. The fact that patients do not have enough education about foot care raises the risk of trauma and foot ulcers in individuals with diabetes. Daily foot cleaning, creaming, shoe control, nail care, and other applications should all be included in an individual's daily foot care routine. Nural and Hintistan [20] have determined in their study that patients' protective attitudes towards foot health are low. In the study of Eroğlu and Yürügen [1], it is found that patients apply cream and have the correct knowledge and practice in selecting socks and shoes. In the study of Kalayci [30], it is seen that the majority of patients do not use cream and cut their toenails incorrectly, however, they wore cotton socks and placed a high value on shoe preference. Patients who took part in a diabetic foot care education program are observed to have a more positive attitude toward doing leg and foot gymnastics, using cream, walking, shoe control, and choosing socks in this study. Other behaviors such as regulating water temperature, caring for a foot ulcer, and toe-nail care, however, do not show a significant difference between those who are educated and those who are not. The limited content of the education program offered to patients who have had previously been educated could explain these findings. By assessing the patients' lack of knowledge, more comprehensive diabetic foot care educations may be scheduled.
The study's findings are limited to diabetic foot patients that are admitted to a hospital's diabetic foot unit, met the research criteria, and agreed to participate in the study.
It is determined that the majority of patients do not receive education about diabetic foot and do not have a positive attitude about performing certain applications, according to the findings of the study. Concordantly, in order to eliminate the patients' knowledge deficits, it may be suggested that comprehensive and planned training should be provided, the results of the given training should be observed, and the training should be repeated at regular intervals by the nurses, who have a significant role in developing self-care abilities and positive behavioral change in individuals with diabetes. By minimizing the lack of knowledge that patients have, possible complications can be avoided and patients' life qualities can be enhanced.
We would like to thank all who contributed materially to our study as participating investigators.
During this study, any pharmaceutical company that has a direct connection with the subject of the research, a company that provides and/or produces medical tools, equipment and materials, or any commercial company, during the evaluation process of the study, financial and/or or no moral support was received.
Regarding this study, the authors and/or their family members do not have a scientific and medical committee membership or relationship with their members, consultancy, expertise, working status in any company, shareholding or similar situations that may have a potential conflict of interest.
The study was not produced from the thesis.
This study was presented as a poster at the 16th National Nursing Students Congress held in Istanbul on April 26-28, 2017.
Working Idea and Design: AT, AÖ; Data Collection and Literature Review: AT, Analysis and Interpretation of Data: AT, ESA,; Preparation of Manuscript: AT, ESA, Approval for Final Issue: AT, ESA, AÖ.