PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF DIABETIC FOOT AND ITS COMPLICATIONS AMONG SAUDI DIABETIC PATIENTS, THROUGH PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AT JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: In Saudi Arabia, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is fairly frequent. A significantly high percentage of persons with diabetic foot problems end up requiring an amputation.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate level of awareness, the attitudes and the practice approaches of diabetic patients towards diabetic foot issue and its complications at Jeddah, KSA.

Methods: Descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was carried out with diabetic patients at primary health care centers, in Jeddah, KSA. Data collection was done during the months of May to July 2022. The study population was all DM patients, who are following up at Primary Health Care centers at Jeddah, KSA. The study sample was collected using the stratified random sampling technique.

Results: Participants’ knowledge regarding diabetic foot care was high as (64%) of study participants demonstrated good knowledge. Participants’ attitude regarding diabetic foot care was high as (79%) of study participants demonstrated good attitude. Participants’ practice regarding diabetic foot care was good among study participants. Participants’ with longer disease duration had better knowledge (P<0.001). Moreover, participants with bachelor degree or higher had also higher level of knowledge (P= 0.03). Participants’ with longer disease duration had better attitude (P<0.001). Moreover, married participants had also better attitude (P= 0.02). Participants’ with longer disease duration had better practice (P<0.001). Moreover, married participants had also better practice (P= 0.003). Participants with bachelor degree or higher practiced better than others regarding their foot care (P= 0.004).

Conclusion: Participants in our study had optimistic views towards the management of diabetes and the foot issues that are associated with the condition. However, when it came to the management of the consequences of diabetic foot disease, they trailed behind.