Effectiveness of health education intervention on foot self-care practice among diabetics at Zagazig university hospitals

Background: Diabetic patients are at risk for developing diabetic foot problems as infection, ulcer and gangrene which are the most common cause of hospitalization among diabetics. Proper foot care is very necessary for preventing these problems and improving quality of life of these patients. Aim the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of health education intervention on self-care knowledge and foot care practice among diabetic patients. Methods: an intervention field trial was conducted on 76 diabetic patients attending Zagazig University Hospital outpatient clinics using structured questionnaire for self-care knowledge assessment and structured questionnaire guided by American diabetes
association guidelines for foot care practice assessment. The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) –Risk Classification System was used for risk classification of the studied diabetic patients. Results 31.5 % of studied patients had high risk for diabetic foot. There was significant improvement in the total knowledge score from 8.17±2.4 to
16.16±2.3 after application of the intervention. Also there was significant improvement in the total practice score (p value <0.001). Recommendation: Targeted health education programs regarding foot care strategies for diabetic patients are needed to reduce diabetic foot complications and ultimately amputation.