Knowledge on foot care of persons with diabetes in Samliam community, Mueang district, Khon Kaen province

Abstract

        This research aimed to explore the knowledge on foot care of persons with diabetes in Samliam community, Nai Mueang Sub-district, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. One hundred sixteen persons with diabetes (79 women and 37 men, mean age 64.1?10.3 years) were interviewed about their knowledge on foot care by using a 16-item interview form (full score of 16). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The knowledge on foot care was divided into 3 levels: low (<60% of the full score), moderate (60-79.99% of the full score) and high (?80% of the full score). The results revealed that the average score of knowledge on foot care of the participants was 9.6?2.1. Most of the participants had low level of knowledge on foot care, especially how to wash the feet and clip the toenails, how to keep skin of the feet soft, management of foot ulcer or decreased sensation, and how to choose a proper pair of socks. These findings could be useful for the Samliam primary care unit for promoting accurate knowledge on foot care to persons with diabetes in the community.