Foot self-care knowledge, practices and associated factors among individuals diagnosed with diabetes attending clinics at base hospitals in Colombo, Sri Lanka: an analytical cross-sectional study

Background Diabetic foot is an infection, ulceration or destruction of the tissue of the foot of a person diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a major and preventable complication of DM. Adequate knowledge and foot self-care practices are crucial to reduce the risk of DFU complications, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings. Objective To assess the knowledge and practices related to foot self-care and associated factors among individuals diagnosed with diabetes attending diabetic clinics at all base hospitals in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Method An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 individuals diagnosed with diabetes attending the diabetic clinic at all three base hospitals in Colombo district, from January 2023 to March 2024 (study period). Participants were selected by using a systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a validated and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences V.26 software. Associations were examined using χ 2 tests, independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), with a p value