Wound care knowledge, attitudes and practice among people with and without diabetes presenting with foot ulcers in Guyana

Abstract

This study explored knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among foot ulcer patients with and without diabetes who sought treatment at Georgetown Hospital in Guyana. In a cross-sectional study, conducted from November 2016 to February 2017, 130 patients completed questionnaires gauging their levels of KAP and barriers from undertaking effective foot care. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between diabetes-related KAP and other covariates. Participants’ were aged 55.5±16.0 years with a mean basal metabolic index of 28.8±4.3. A higher percentage of participants with diabetes were unemployed (P=0.02) and participants without diabetes were more likely to have received tertiary education. Knowledge and attitude scores were better in participants with diabetes. The time of foot ulcer onset, ulcer site, practice score, previous ulceration, amputation and peripheral arterial disease significantly contributed to a patient’s diabetic status. The overall level of knowledge and attitude about wound care was better among the diabetic than the nondiabetic population, but the overall level of self-care practice was poor among those with diabetes.