Foot care practices, its barriers and risk for peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients attending medical college in rural Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Diabetes has becoming an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Along with the rising prevalence of diabetes increase in the complications are expected which will further burden our health care services. Poor knowledge of foot care and poor foot care practices were identified as important risk factors for foot problems in diabetes.Methods: The present study was a mixed methods study conducted among diabetic patients attending medicine OPD. Quantitative data for foot care practices and peripheral neuropathy was collected from 190 diabetic patients and free listing among 20 diabetic patients was done to identify perceived barriers for foot care practices. Collected data were entered in Epi Info (3.5.3) and analysed using SPSS version 24 software.Results: The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among the study participants was 52.9%. Significant association was found between peripheral neuropathy and male sex (p=0.006), occupation (p=0.003), smoking status (p=0.013) and longer duration of disease (p=0.04). The various reasons for poor foot care practices perceived by patients were poor knowledge about foot care, lack of knowledge about complications and health care provider did not teach them.Conclusions: The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is common among diabetic patients and most of them are having poor foot care practices so there is a need in the community to lay emphasis on health education programs to improve foot care practices.