J Vasc Nurs. 2026 Sep;44(3):240-249. doi: 10.1016/j.jvn.2026.07.004. Epub 2026 Jul 30.
ABSTRACT
PROBLEM CONSIDERED: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major global complication of diabetes, leading to high rates of disability, amputation, and mortality. Evidence suggests that inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor practices (KAP) contribute significantly to preventable DFUs, yet regional data from South Asia remain scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the KAP of patients with diabetes regarding DFU prevention in Dhaka, a South Asian region, and to identify socio-demographic predictors to inform targeted interventions and health policy.
METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 adult patients with diabetes at East West Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. Data were collected using a structured, researcher-developed 30-item KAP questionnaire developed based on existing literature, with expert review, pilot testing, and acceptable internal consistency, and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of good KAP. Model adequacy was confirmed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p > 0.05).
RESULTS: Engagement in DFU prevention was alarmingly low. Only 15.8% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, 1.7% had a positive attitude, and 4.7% reported good preventive practices. Bivariate analysis indicated a weak association between age and attitude (p = 0.046), while multivariate models revealed no significant independent predictors, indicating poor KAP was widespread across all demographic groups.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices related to diabetic foot ulcer prevention among patients with diabetes in Dhaka, with the predominance of neutral responses suggesting substantial uncertainty and limited practical awareness. These results underscore the need for systematic foot-risk screening, structured patient education initiatives, and the integration of diabetic foot ulcer prevention strategies into routine diabetes management and broader non-communicable disease care services in Bangladesh.
PMID:42637496 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvn.2026.07.004
