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Diabetic foot self-care: awareness and practice among type 2 diabetic patients in primary healthcare centers, Dubai Health Authority

Background: Diabetic foot disease is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus. With appropriate management, approximately 49-85% of diabetic foot complications can be prevented. This study was carried out due to lack of population-based studies on foot self-care in the U.A.E. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness and practice of foot self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes and study the factors affecting foot self-care.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst patients of type-2 diabetes attending the diabetic clinics in primary healthcare centers under Dubai Health Authority. 488 participants were interviewed on a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The cumulative score of awareness and practice was classified into poor (<50 percentile), average (50-75 percentile) and good (>75 percentile).Results: 47% participants had an overall poor awareness and 46% had an overall poor practice of foot self-care. Compliance of medications to avoid complications had the highest awareness (83%) and practice (91%). Avoiding moisturizing between toes had the least awareness (40%) and practice (38%). Awareness was better in 59% of UAE nationals and 74% of postgraduates. Practice was better in 60% of males and 73% of participants with uncontrolled HbA1c. Participants who received prior information had better awareness (55%). Participants receiving information from Dubai Diabetes Centre (DDC) had better awareness (66%) and practice of foot self-care (66%).Conclusions: Almost half of the diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers in Dubai have limited awareness and practice regarding diabetic foot self-care.