Volume 29, Issue 158, April 2025

Exploring caregivers' knowledge and attitudes towards diabetic foot care in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Ali Fahmi Alkhars^1♦, Abdulelah Bader Alshafei¹, Hussam Fahmi Alkhars², Mohammed Abdulhadi Alali¹, Noor Abdulrahim Albuali¹, Fatimah Abdulwahed Alnuwaysir¹, Abdul Qadeer Memon³, Mashari A Alshaikh¹, Bader Abdulwahab Alshafei¹

¹Medical student, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
²MBBS, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
³Assistant Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding Author
Medical student, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) is one of the most severe complications of diabetes, leading to ulcers, infections, amputations, and numerous other complications. Little is known about the level of knowledge concerning foot care among caregivers in Saudi Arabia, though it is essential. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia with 219 caregivers of diabetic patients. Knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment were done using a closed-ended questionnaire for foot care. SPSS software version 27 was used to perform statistical tests to identify trends and correlations. Results: The study found that most caregivers were female (n = 120, 73.5%), young (n = 69, 42.5%) and had achieved university education (n = 104, 63.5%). Although 73.1% of respondents expressed a desire to learn more, only 15.5% felt they had sufficient knowledge of diabetic foot care. Significant correlates of knowledge levels included education (p = 0.049) and the relationship with the caregiver (p = 0.046). Although 22.4% of caregivers did not check the patient's feet, 44.3% sought medical help only when problems occurred. Conclusion: Awareness and practice of diabetic foot care are inadequate among caregivers. Encouraging support and education are crucial to preventing serious complications and achieving better outcomes.

Keywords: Diabetic Foot Disease (DFD), Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU), Caregiver Knowledge, Foot Care Practices, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Diabetic Foot Care Awareness, Preventive Foot Care, Saudi Arabia, Cross-Sectional Study, Health Education, Chronic Disease Management, Caregiver Attitudes, Self-Care Practices, Diabetes Complications.

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e53ms3544

PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i158.e53ms3544

Published: 07 April 2025