Abstract

Kamran Munawar* RN, MSN, Post RN BSN, Aneela Kamran and Dr. Zeeshan Ahmad

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Diabetic foot is one of its unbearable complication that have led to incalculable amputations and reduced quality of life among diabetics. Diabetic foot ulcer is a preventable complication of diabetes if we deal with it timely. Diabetic foot wound affecting approximately 12% of the total population with diabetes mellitus in Pakistan. Nurses plays an important role in diabetes management team. They can play important role in the prevention of diabetic foot and in educating the patient at risk of developing diabetic foot problems. Objective: The aim of current study was to access the knowledge and attitude of nurses on diabetic foot prevention, care and management. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional descriptive study done at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad for period of three month from August 2018 to October 2018. Data was collected from 150 nurses through pretested, structured questionnaire containing question to access the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding diabetic foot prevention, care and management. We included all the nurses who processed atleast one year of experience in surgical ward and specifically encounter patient with diabetic foot wounds. Data was collected and scored accordingly. The statistical analysis was performed through SPSS version 19.0. Results: Only 56% of the nurses in our study possessed good knowledge of diabetic foot ulcers. Lack of formal wound care training was reported by 67%. The overall attitude of nurses towards was positive. Nurses demonstrated an overall positive attitude towards patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Although 94% of nurses were interested in wound care, only 5.5% wished to do research in this topic. However, we noticed that there is deficiency in core knowledge. Significant associations were seen between nurses’ knowledge and duration of nursing. It was observed that the knowledge of diabetic foot care was higher among young energetic nurses despite of less experience. Nurses with experience had a markedly poor knowledge of diabetic foot care. The findings are helpful for instituting training courses. As a result, quality of diabetic foot care for patients will be improved. Conclusion: Deficiency in core knowledge may be due to inadequate training, inadequate update of knowledge and lack of interest in wound care research work. Lack of knowledge effect healthcare system badly, even with the presence of positive attitudes. Hence, a comprehensive revision of nursing courses, training and updating their knowledge is need of hour.