INFLUENCE OF SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PROPER DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to identify the socio-demographic factors and their association with health care awareness and practices of foot care among diabetic patients visiting the diabetic clinics of Jinnah postgraduate medical center (JPMC) and Civil Hospital, Karachi. METHODOLOGY: This observational descriptive study was conducted at diabetic clinics of JPMC and civil hospital Karachi, from June to October, 2012 on a nonprobability convenience sample of 786 diabetics. The mean of the knowledge and practice scores of the individuals, categorized in respective age groups, gender and socioeconomic status, based on monthly income and education, were analyzed. RESULT: Out of 786 diabetic patients, 356(45.3%) were females and 430(54.7%) were males; 395 (50.3%) had no primary education while 480 (61.1%) patients had low monthly income. There were 466 (59.3%) patients who were unaware of the fact that smoking causes poor circulation of the feet and 357 (45.4%) patients were unaware about the temperature of water they should use to wash their feet in. Two hundred & forty two (30.8%) patients did not use warm water to wash their feet and 632 (80.4%) did not receive any health educational counseling about the type of footwear they should purchase and wear. However, 688 (87.5%) washed and 510 (64.9%) inspected their feet regularly. Poor education and low socio economic status were significantly associated with the lower awareness and practice scores. CONCLUSION: Majority of the diabetics were not following the proper guidelines recommended by diabetic foot care counsels, especially those who were lacking education and of a low socioeconomic status.