Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OUTCOMES: EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF COUNSELING IN FOOT ULCER PATIENTS

Anu Thomas, Ashin Vareeth, Bonnie Ascah Joseph, Divya C. Reddy and Sheba Baby John*

ABSTRACT

Background: Good knowledge and practice regarding foot care will reduce the risk of development of foot ulcer and prevent its further complications which will decrease the chances of amputation of the limb. Objective: To determine Knowledge and Practice of patients with foot ulcer and to provide patient education regarding the disease and foot care practices. Method: An interventional study was conducted among the 80 patients with foot ulcers admitted in General surgery ward of a medical college teaching hospital from Dec 2018 to May 2019. The demographic details were collected in a self designed data entry form and Knowledge and practice were evaluated by self administered KAP questionnaire before and after providing counseling. For the knowledge and practice, if score was <3 it was considered poor, scores between 4 and 7 indicated average and scores >8 indicated good. These results were further analyzed using suitable statistical methods Result: Results showed that 55 (68.75%) participants had poor knowledge, 16 (20.00%) had average knowledge and 9 (11.25%) had good knowledge. Only 15(18.75%) had practiced good foot care practices, 32(40.0%) had average foot care practices and 33 (41.25%) had poor foot care practices. Low educational status showed poor knowledge and the same was reflected in their practice also. But, there was no association found between age, sex with the knowledge and practice scores. Patient counseling showed significant improvement in the knowledge and practice scores. Conclusion: Assessment of patient knowledge and practice toward foot care is very important in the management of the disease. Hence patient education must be given utmost importance for a better health.

Keywords: Foot ulcer, Knowledge and Practice, patient education.