A Descriptive Study to Assess Awareness and Practices of Diabetic Patients for Prevention of Foot Ulcer in I.G.M.C Hospital Shimla, H. P.

Diabetes has emerged as a major health care problem in India. The burden of diabectic foot complications poses a heavy challenge to both the patient and the physician, especially in developing countries like India. The most common causes of foot problems in people with diabetes are socio cultural risk factor like barefoot walking using improper foot wear and poor knowledge of foot care practices. Aim: the aim of study is to assess the awareness and practices of diabetic patients for prevention of foot ulcer. Objectives: to assess awareness and practices of diabetic patients for prevention of foot ulcer and to associate the awareness and practices with selected personal variables and health variables. Methods: a descriptive research design was adopted. Forty diabetic patients were are selected from IGMC hospital Shimla, who were attending diabetic clinic there. A structured questionnaire and questionnaire checklist were administered to selected diabetic patients, to assess awareness and practices of diabetic patients for prevention of foot ulcer. Results: the majority of the diabetic patients, 67.5% had moderate awareness, 27.5% of adequate awareness and 5% had inadequate awareness. Whereas 52.5% respondents moderate practices and 47.5% adequate practices for prevention of foot ulcer. The results revealed that there was no significance association of awareness and practices with selected personal variables and health variables. Conclusion: The study result shows that the majority of subjects had moderate awareness as well as practices for prevention of foot ulcer.as such there is a need to develop an intensive program to increase awareness and practices among diabetic patients for prevention of foot ulcer.