An investigation of the knowledge and behaviour of foot care in patients with diabetic foot

Objective To investigate the knowledge and behaviors of foot－care in patients with diabetic foot． Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of 331 outpatients with diabetic foot from 5 hospitals(Grade 3, class A) in Beijing．Data collection included patient’s demographic data, foot－care knowledge and behaviors. Results The knowledge of foot-care was relatively inadequate and their foot-care behavior was poor, particularly in some aspects such as knowledge on daily foot－care and dealing with foot problems, and their health behaviors in checking their shoes and soaking their feet on a daily basis. The knowledge of their foot-care was positively associated to their foot-care behaviours. Conclusion In order to improve patients’ foot－care behaviors，more education about the foot－care should be provided to the patients with diabetic foot or who are at risk in developing diabetic foot．