INTRODUCTION:
People with diabetes have a number of potentially serious health
problems that can be cause by the condition, including eye, heart, feet and
kidney diseases. One of the most common is diabetes-related foot problems.
High glucose levels from diabetes can result in poor circulation
to the lower legs and feet. Often, this causes nerve damage, called neuropathy,
which can lead to a lack of sensation in the feet, foot ulcers, and in severe
cases results in amputation. Fortunately, with conscious treatment of diabetes
and good foot care, many of these problems can be avoided or at least treated.
Jeewantha M, et al.,
2011. Their analytical survey studied the
knowledge and practice of diabetic foot care among110 in patients with chronic
diabetic ulcers. Results demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge on diabetic
foot disease; however their practices of preventive techniques were
unsatisfactory.
Sheule Begum, et
al., 2010 studied the knowledge regarding
diabetic foot ulcer among 120 diabetic patients in Bangladesh, the result revealed
that around 80% of the patients had an average knowledge and 15 % had an
adequate knowledge. The researchers recommended that there is the need of
intensive teaching program regarding diabetic foot ulcer and its prevention
Son Yong Kim et al., 2008 in their descriptive cross sectional survey studied the knowledge,
attitude and practice regarding diabetic foot ulcer among 300 diabetic patients
in outpatient department of Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Health Center No. 48, Bangkok,
Thailand, the result shown that 54% of the patients had moderately adequate
knowledge and attitude. Monthly income, expenditure and family history of
diabetes had significant association with knowledge, attitude and practice.
33% of the diabetic people are at the risk of developing foot
Ulcer. 16% will definitely develop Foot Ulcer. The prevalence of
amputation in Type 2 diabetic patients is 3%. 30% of the diabetics get
admitted for diabetic foot. And number of days spent by these patients in
hospitals, are more than the days spent due to all other complications. Of
the total lower limb amputations, 85% are due to Diabetic Foot.
India will be the capital of Diabetics in the 2025. Figure will jump
25 million to 57 millions 2025. In India most of the foot problems are
associated with Neuropathy & Infective rather than Vascular. The prevalence
of foot complications such as Neuropathy is 15%, Peripheral Vascular disease 5%
& infections 7.6%. As per our studies Foot Pressure changes occur in 25% of
diabetes. In India, 55% of Foot
Ulcers are Neuropathic (nerve involvement), 35% are Neuroischaemic
& 10% are Ischaemic (Blood Vessels Involvement)
Statement of the Problem:
A
descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding diabetic foot ulcer among
diabetic clients in a selected hospital, Kancheepuram
district, Tamil Nadu.
Objectives:
·
To
assess the knowledge regarding diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic clients
·
To
associate the knowledge score with the selected demographic variables of diabetic
clients.
Research Design:
Descriptive design was used for this study
Setting:
The study was conducted in Melmaruvathur
Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and
Research, Melmaruvathur, Kancheepuram
Dist. Tamil Nadu.
Population:
The study population comprises of all the Diabetic patients who
are attending outpatient department and admitted in medical ward.
Sample Size:
100 patients were included as sample
Sampling Technique:
A convenient sampling technique was used to select the sample.
Criteria for Sample Selection:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Patient should have diabetic
2. Patient who is willing to participate in
the study.
3. Patient who is able to speak or understand
Tamil
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patient with mental disturbances
2. Patient with allergic history
3. Patient with depleted illness
Development and description
of the tool:
Section A Demographic
Variables
Section B structured knowledge
questionnaire
Score
Interpretation:
The knowledge
was measured by multiple choice questions with four options. For best answer
score was one and wrong answer score was zero.
Score Obtained
score
interpretation = Total
score X100
The score were interpreted as follows
Below 50% Inadequate Knowledge
50 -75% average Knowledge
Above 75% adequate knowledge
Data Collection:
Considering all
the ethical aspects, the study was conducted in Melmaruvathur
Adhi Parasakthi Medical
College Hospital and Research Institute. Total of 100 samples were interviewed
and data were collected.
Data Analysis:
Descriptive
statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation was to
assess the knowledge, inferential statistics (chi square) was used to associate
the level of knowledge with selected demographic variables.
RESULT:
Table:
1-Diabetic Client’s Knowledge Regarding Diabetic Foot Ulcer (No: 100)
|
Knowledge
level score |
No |
Percentage |
Mean |
Standard
Deviation |
|
Inadequate Average adequate |
56 38 06 |
56 38 06 |
10.3 |
2.43 |
The table shows
that 56% patients have inadequate knowledge, 38% have average knowledge and 6%
of the patients have an adequate knowledge. The findings reveal that there is
need planned teaching programme.