Prevalence and Factors Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcer among Adult Patients Attending Diabetic Clinic at Nyeri Level 5 Hospital

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is a leading cause of amputation among diabetic patients and a major burden to patients, care-givers and health care providers. Diabetic foot ulcers significantly contribute to morbidity and disability of patients with diabetesmellitus. As a consequence, diabetic patients with foot ulcers require frequent and long-term hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with diabetic foot ulcers among adult patients attending diabetic clinic at Nyeri level 5 hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer and its associated  factors. The study was conducted at the diabetic clinic in Nyeri Level 5 Hospital. Systematic sampling was used in the identification of participants. A total of 387 diabetic patients participated in the study. A structured questionnaire and key informant guide were used in data collection. Quantitative data was entered into MS Excel spreadsheets and exported to SPSS version 24.0. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were done to establish the factors associated with diabetic foot ulcers among diabetic patients. Results: The prevalence rate of diabetic foot ulcers was 9.04%. Individual level factors associated with developing diabetic foot ulcer include marital status [(OR=1.825, 95% C=1.825-1.092, P<0.05)] and occupation [(OR=1,720, 95%CI =2.123-3.213, P<0.05)]. Facility level factors found to influence occurrence of diabetic foot included availability of diabetic medication in the hospital, [(OR=.1. 493, 95%CI =1.111-2.006, P<0.05)] distance travelled to get diabetic treatment, [(OR=.2.982, 95%CI =1.226-7.254, P<0.05)] and satisfaction with healthcare provider services [(OR=3.638, 95% C=2.347-5.779)]. Conclusion: The study showed that at least one in ten diabetic patients attending Nyeri level five hospital has a foot ulcer. Factors found to have been associated with diabetic foot ulcer were marital status, occupation, availability of diabetic medicine in hospital, distance from home to hospital and satisfaction with health care service providers. Keywords: Diabetes, Diabetic Foot Ulce