Abstract
Background: The feet of diabetic patients are at high risk of damage and infection due to poor blood supply and peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage and reduced blood supply are being more likely to cause poor healing of the wounds which may leads to foot ulcers or gangrene, structural foot problems and reduced feeling in the feet. Foot care was recognized as the utmost important factor among diabetic patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to provide a realistic view about the knowledge level and daily practice among diabetic patients towards foot care, in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The present research is a cross–sectional descriptive study that was conducted at Diabetic Care Center in Jeddah city in June 2014, among 308 diabetic patients. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was used to interview the diabetic patients. The outcome variables were knowledge and practice regarding foot care. The knowledge and practice scores were classified as good if score ≥70 %, satisfactory if within the range 50–69 % and poor if score was < 50 %. Results: Among the 308 diabetic patients, 38 % had good knowledge about diabetic foot care and 22 % were found to be following good diabetic foot care practice. With regard to knowledge, 85.4% of the patients were unaware of appropriate temperature to wash their feet and 60.1 % of the respondents were unaware of how often diabetic patients should inspect their feet. Further, with regard to foot practice, 83.1 % diabetic patients did not receive any advice when they bought footwear and 76.9 % did not get appropriate size footwear. Finally, knowledge and practice of foot care in relation to the degree of education and socioeconomic level revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: This study highlighted the gaps in knowledge of diabetic patients and their daily practice. Thus, there is a need to enhance patients’ knowledge with regular assessment to enforce healthy practice in foot care and to reduce diabetic foot ulcer and amputations.

Key words: Diabetic foot, foot ulcer, diabetic care, knowledge, practice, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah