ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS REGARDING DIABETIC FOOT CARE IN TERTIARY HOSPITAL OF PESHAWAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/pkwb5r36Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hospitals, Teaching; Patient Education as Topic; Self Care.Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot complications remain a preventable yet serious consequence of diabetes mellitus and contribute substantially to ulceration, infection, disability, hospitalization, and lower-limb amputation. In developing healthcare settings, inadequate awareness and inconsistent self-care practices may delay early recognition of foot problems and increase avoidable morbidity. Assessing patients’ knowledge and routine practices is therefore essential for identifying educational gaps and strengthening preventive diabetic foot care within hospital-based diabetes services, particularly where routine counseling and screening remain limited.
Objective: This study aimed to assess diabetic foot care knowledge, identify routine practices, and compare knowledge level with foot care behaviors among diabetic patients in Peshawar.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Mercy Teaching Hospital, and Prime Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from July to December 2025. Through consecutive sampling, 384 diabetic patients aged 18 years or above were recruited. Data were collected with a structured validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, practices, footwear habits, safety measures, previous foot problems, and education. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used.
Results: Of 384 participants, 130 (33.9%) were aged 46–60 years and 110 (28.6%) were aged 31–45 years. Poor, moderate, and good knowledge were observed in 135 (35.2%), 140 (36.5%), and 109 (28.4%) participants, respectively. Poor, adequate, and good practices were reported by 150 (39.0%), 145 (37.8%), and 89 (23.2%) participants, respectively. Numbness or tingling was reported by 210 (54.7%), pain or cramps by 180 (46.9%), calluses by 160 (41.7%), and current ulcer, blister, or sore by 85 (22.1%). Only 100 (26.0%) had attended foot care education, while 310 (80.7%) wanted further education. Knowledge level was significantly associated with practice (χ² = 96.4, df = 4, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Diabetic patients showed important gaps in knowledge and preventive practices. Structured, repeated, and patient-friendly education should be integrated into routine diabetes care.
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hospitals, Teaching; Patient Education as Topic; Self Care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ayaz Ur Rahman, Muhammad Tariq, Zaid Ahmad, Syed Hanif Ullah, Meraj Khan, Zia Shahid, Faisal Muhammad, Inayat Ullah (Author)
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