| Summary: | Namo Hirpha,1 Ramanjireddy Tatiparthi,2 Temesgen Mulugeta3 1Department Hospital Pharmacy, Bako Primary Hospital, West Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia; 2Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia; 3Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Temesgen Mulugeta Institute of Health, School of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical PharmacyJimma University, Jimma, Oromia, EthiopiaTel +251917734764Email temesgenmulugetaf@gmail.comBackground: Adequate foot care and regular foot examinations along with optimal glycemic control are effective strategies to prevent foot ulceration.Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of foot self-care practice among diabetic patients attending an ambulatory clinic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the ambulatory clinic of Jimma Medical Center. A consecutive sampling technique was used. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 and descriptive statistics were used to describe the findings.Results: A total of 370 diabetic patients (55.9% male and 68.4% type 2) were interviewed. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 46.47± 13.63 years. Over one-third (35.7%) of the patients had a previous history of foot ulcer. The majority of the patients self-inspect (92.5%) and wash (82.7%) their foot at least daily, respectively. In this study, 12.2% of the patients never inspected the inside of their footwear before putting them on and 42.4% of the patients never dry between their toes after washing. Most (63.5%) of patients never used moisturizing creams to lubricate the dry skin. In this study, 23.0% and 27.6% of the patients walk in sandals/slippers and in shoes without socks most of the time, respectively. Only 27.3% of the patients changed their socks daily. Majority (78.4% and 86.5%) of the patients never walk barefoot around and outside their house, respectively, and 75.1% of the patients never put their feet near the fire.Conclusion: Diabetic patients were not adequately self-inspect and wash their foot at least daily, dry after wash and moisturize the dry skin. They walk barefoot, in sandals/slippers, and in shoes without socks. Therefore, clinicians should counsel every diabetic patient about the importance of foot self-inspection, foot hygiene, and the risk of walking barefoot, wearing sandals/slippers, and shoes without socks at every follow-up visit.Keywords: diabetes mellitus, foot self-care, practice, Jimma Medical Center
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