Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalences of foot ulcer and foot self-care practices, and identify associated factors in adult patients with diabetes attending a referral hospital in south-east Ethiopia.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 267 diabetic patients. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer and foot self-care practice.
Results: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.42-15.05). One hundred and forty-four (53.9%; 47.9, 59.9) patients demonstrated good foot self-care. Living rurally (adjusted odds ratio 2.27; 95% CI: 1.86-6.97), lack of regular exercise (3.91; 1.51-10.10), peripheral neuropathy (2.77; 1.05-7.33) and foot calluses (5.69; 1.74-18.59) were associated with diabetic foot ulcer. Urban inhabitants (2.01; 1.09-3.69), patients with diabetes for >10 years (2.92; 1.48-5.77), women (2.95; 1.66-5.22), and patients with a glucometer at home (2.05; 1.09-3.85) were more likely to have good foot self-care practice.
Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.2%. This prevalence is lower than those identified in other Ethiopian studies. However, patient awareness regarding foot self-care practice and risk reduction should be improved.
Keywords: Foot ulcer; callus; diabetes mellitus; exercise; foot self-care practice; peripheral neuropathy; prevalence; rural; south-east Ethiopia.