Assessing the knowledge of patients with diabetes about foot care and prevention of foot complications in Cameroon, West Africa.

BACKGROUND

As the incidence of diabetes continues to rise throughout the world, including Africa, diabetic foot complications are a significant factor in morbidity, hospital length of stay, and health care costs. An emphasis on prevention through patient education may reverse this trend.

OBJECTIVE

To survey patients with diabetes in Cameroon, West Africa, to assess their knowledge about foot care and prevention of complications, with the goal of improving diabetic foot education across a hospital system.

METHODS

The sample included 130 patients with diabetes at 2 hospitals within the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services. Participants were seen in outpatient clinics or as inpatients. Nurses trained in wound care conducted the study between December 23, 2021, and August 26, 2022. Investigators administered an examiner-designed oral survey to collect foot care knowledge and disease-related data and performed a standard diabetic foot examination to assess for evidence of sensory, motor, or autonomic neuropathy. Participants were assigned a risk category based on the history and examination results. Afterward, each participant was taught about diabetic foot care.

RESULTS

An oral survey found that patients knew little about foot care or its role in preventing foot complications. Using the International Diabetes Federation risk categorization for diabetic foot complications, 81% of the participants were found to be at high risk or very high risk for foot ulceration and amputation.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the need for improved teaching on self-care of the feet and personal measures to prevent wounds and amputations during education of patients with diabetes and at sites where patients with diabetes encounter the health care system.