Abstract:
Background: Worldwide the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Diabetic foot ulcer is the most
serious complications and frequent reasons of hospitalization. This problem was increase in
Ethiopia & limited study done in this area, therefore this study will add body of knowledge on
the prevalence and determinants of diabetic foot ulcer.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of diabetic
foot ulcer among diabetic patients in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, 2019.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional quantitative study design was done in 500 Study
participants. The study was conducted from Mar 1
VII
st
– April 25
th
, 2019. The desired samples were
taken by systematic sampling technique, and the data were collected by structured and pre tested
questionnaires. Diabetes patients ? 18 years were included in the study. Data were verified,
coded and entered to Epi info and then it was exported and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Binary
logistic regression was run to see the crude significant relation. Then variables with P-value < 0.2
in bivariate analysis were entered to multivariable logistic regressions to control confounding
effect. Finally significant factors were identified based on AOR with 95% confidence level at Pvalue
<
0.05.
Result: 496 study subjects were participated with a response rate 99.2%. Of this, 76(15.3%) have
diabetic foot ulcer. Factors significantly associated with foot ulcer were no education[AOR=4.23,
95%CI: 1.09,16.47], primary education[AOR=6.20,95% CI:1.83,21.09], 5-10 years diabetes
durations [AOR= 3.96, 95% CI: 1.55, 10.12], type II diabetes [AOR=4.87, 95% CI:1.68,14.15],
Overweight [AOR=5.33; 95% CI:1.89,14.99], obesity [AOR=8.35; 95%CI: 2.03,34.34], presence
of callus [AOR=4.78,95% CI:1.73,13.26], walking barefoot [AOR=6.97; 95%CI:3.04,15.99] &
poor diabetic foot care practice[AOR= 5.18, 95% CI: 1.44,18.47].
Conclusion and recommendations: the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was high. Low level of
education, presence of callus, overweight, obesity, type II diabetes, 5-10 years durations of
diabetes, walking bare foot & poor self-foot care practice were factors associated with diabetic
foot ulcer. Emphasis should be given for awareness creation, management of co morbidities and
complications in addition to regular diabetic care.
Keywords: Amhara Region, Diabetes, factors, foot ulcer, prevalence.
