Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2017)

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of chronic complications, including diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which pose significant health, social, and economic burdens. Patient knowledge and awareness regarding diabetes and foot care are critical in preventing DFUs and improving outcomes.

Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness towards diabetes mellitus among diabetic foot ulcer patients attending a tertiary care centre.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in India. A total of 150 diabetic foot ulcer patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Data on sociodemographic details, diabetes knowledge, and foot care awareness were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS version 25.

Results: The majority of participants were male (61.3%) and over 50 years of age (68%), with most having only high school or lower levels of education. Knowledge and awareness levels regarding diabetes management and foot care were found to be suboptimal, particularly among older and less-educated individuals.

Conclusion: The study highlights significant gaps in diabetes-related knowledge and foot care awareness among diabetic foot ulcer patients. There is a pressing need for targeted, culturally appropriate educational interventions to improve patient outcomes and prevent DFU-related complications.