.

ISSN 2063-5346
For urgent queries please contact : +918130348310

Social support and patterns of diabetic foot ulcer Among Elderly patients

Main Article Content

Eman Salah Ibrahim Mohamed , Eman Shokry Abd–Allah, Fatma Mohammed Ahmed
» doi: 10.53555/ecb/2023.12.1158

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the frightened complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of hospitalization among diabetic patients. Social support has a direct effect on wellbeing, promoting the improvement of the psycho-emotional aspects of individuals in the health disease. Aim: The present study aimed to assess was to assess social support and patterns of diabetic foot ulcer among elderly diabetic foot ulcer patients. Design: A descriptive design was utilized to conduct the present study. Setting: The present study will be conducted at surgery and diabetic foot outpatient clinics at Zagazig university hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample composed of 200 elderly patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Tools: Two tools were used in the present study. Tool (I): A structured interview questionnaire which composed of three parts Part one: Sociodemographic characteristics of the studied elderly, Part two: Clinical profile of the studied elderly. Part three: Self-care practices before ulceration. Tool II: Social support subscale. Results: The present study results revealed that 59.5% of the elderly DFU patients had moderate level of social support. 43%) of the studied patients had a foot ulcer with partial thickness wound up to but not through the dermis grade. The majority (83.5%&83%) of them had one ulcer. or an ulcer for five to seven months respectively. Almost two third (67%) had the ulcer in the plantar surface of foot. Conclusion: Pertaining to social support, it tended to be moderately received by elderly diabetic foot ulcer patients, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between the studied patients` total diabetic foot ulcer classification and their total social support. Recommendations: Counseling sessions to provide emotional support to elderly DFU patients.

Article Details