Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude towards Diabetic Foot Care in a Secondary Health Care Centre in Sudan

Abstract

Background Nurses play a vital role in diabetic foot ulcers care and prevention. Patient education, prevention of ulcers and rehabilitation are some of the vital aspects that nurses provide daily. Good knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care will ensure better patient care. AimsTo study the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care in a secondary healthcare centre in sudan. Methods Validated questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic foot care. The questionnaire covers area such as demography, predisposing factors of ulcer formation, characteristics of ulcers, complications of ulcers,and attitude towards diabetic foot care. Results 57% of the participants scored poorly in the knowledge section of the questionnaire. 72% had scored poorly when asked regarding complications of diabetic foot ulcers. 49.5% of the nurses have a positive attitude towards diabetic foot care and 79.3% of the nurses think that care for diabetic foot ulcer is time-consuming. Majority of the nurses think that colleagues are the main knowledge updating source.All demographic variables were deemed to be confounders with the knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care. ConclusionsNurses in this centre possess poor knowledge towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care. None of the variable studied have been correlated with the level know nurses’ knowledge. Good or poor knowledge does not correspond equally to good or poor attitude towards diabetic foot ulcers care. More frequent formal training of diabetic foot care would be needed to ensure better knowledge among the nurses. Poor attitude towards diabetic foot care can be contributed by the lack of work force, high workload and lack of multidisciplinary approach towards diabetic foot care.