Abstract:

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder which is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia following absolute deficiency of insulin hormone (type 1 diabetes mellitus) or insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency (type 2 diabetes mellitus). Globally prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the major complications of diabetes. The aim of the study is to determine prevalence of DFU and knowledge about foot care among diabetic patients attending clinic.

Methodology: The cross section study was conducted at tertiary hospital clinics of Sekou – Toure regional hospital at Bugando medical centre (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania. Patients with diabetes were randomly selected, examination of their lower extremities were performed and classification were done using Wagner classification of diabetic foot ulcer.

Results: A total of 200 patients with diabetes were examined, female were 118 (59%) and males were 82 (41%). 25 (12.5%) had have diabetes foot ulcer among them females were 10 (5%) and males were 15 (7.5%). 4.5% had the current ulcers while 8% had the healed ulcers. 28 (14%) were at high risk of developing diabetic foot ulcer. Of all patients interviewed for foot care knowledge 87.5% had good knowledge 5% had little knowledge and 7.5% had no knowledge at all.

Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcer among patient with diabetes is not uncommon complications, the prevalence among patients in our setting is also high. Although majority of interviewed patient showed a good knowledge on foot care, a lot has to be done in order to reduce the occurance of this preventable complication.