Prevalence and factors associated with functional footcare among patients with diabetes in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study

Understanding footcare knowledge and practices among patients with diabetes is essential for effective management and complication prevention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of functional footcare among patients with diabetes in Kuwait and evaluate the association between footcare practices and various socioeconomic and demographic factors. This community-based cross-sectional study covered all governorates in Kuwait. Functional footcare was the primary outcome measure and was defined using the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare (NAFF), which is widely used to screen for footcare practices. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering socioeconomic and demographic variables, diabetes-related factors, and laboratory investigations, and NAFF was used as a functional footcare assessment tool. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between functional footcare and covariates. A total of 232 patients with diabetes were included in the analysis. Most were female (61.9%) and non-Kuwaiti (73.4%), with a mean age of 42.6 years (SD 13.57). The prevalence of poor footcare among patients with diabetes was 73%, while only 27% demonstrated good footcare. Significant regional variation in footcare practices was observed (p = 0.023), suggesting possible disparities in healthcare education or access between different areas. No significant associations were found with age, education level, diabetes duration, or HbA1c control. This study highlights a high prevalence of poor functional footcare among patients with diabetes in Kuwait. Strengthening routine footcare education and assessments within diabetes care is crucial to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.