Effect of Educational Intervention On Practice of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention Among Patients Attending Clinic in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Ulceration of the feet, which can result in loss of limbs and even death, is one of the major health problems for people with diabetes mellitus, this may be attributed to inadequate knowledge about foot care among diabetic patients. This study assessed the effect of educational intervention on practice of diabetic foot ulcer prevention among patients attending out-patient clinic in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. One group pre-test and post-test quasi experimental design was chosen to carry out the research. The population were individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus during visit to Endocrinology clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. A sample size of 39 was selected using total enumeration. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge regarding diabetic foot ulcer and self-reported foot care practices among diabetic patients’ pre- intervention and post-intervention. Face and content validity of instruments were ensured. The reliability of the questionnaire was ascertained using Cronbach alpha and reliability coefficient was calculated to be 0.765. Data were processed through statistical package for social science (SPSS), version 21. Two research questions were answered through descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation while the only hypothesis was tested using t- test at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that there is significant effect in post-intervention training on practice regarding prevention of diabetic foot ulcer self-care activities with a mean practice score of 15.692 (p= 0.000). Findings showed that self-care practice concerning prevention of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients improved. It was recommended among others that health care providers should take time to explain in depth on diabetic foot ulcer, causes and prevention/control through health and self-foot care measures to prevent complications.

Keywords: diabetic foot, educational intervention, foot care, knowledge, self-reported practice,