Qualitative Exploration into Reasons for Delay in Seeking Medical Help with Diabetic Foot Problems

Overview

Journal Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2021 Jul 5

PMID 34219610

Citations 7

Authors

Michael Opeoluwa Ogunlana

Pragashnie Govender

Olufemi Oyeleye Oyewole

Adesola Christianah Odole

Jasola Love Falola

Olubiyi F Adesina

Jabez Ariyo Akindipe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Delay in reporting foot symptoms in patients with diabetes to health-care professionals is said to be responsible for limb amputation. While reasons for these delays have been investigated elsewhere, they are not well documented in Nigeria. This study explored the causes of delayed presentation in a Nigerian sample of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Method: The study followed an explorative qualitative design in which the lived experience of eight participants with diabetes were explored. The participants completed in-depth interviews which were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed thematically using deductive reasoning.

Results: The study identified four themes which included knowledge and awareness of foot challenges, risk perception, health seeking triggers and behaviours and competing priority as the factors responsible for delay in presentation of diabetic foot complications.

Conclusions: Limited knowledge and awareness and negative health seeking behaviours including self-management and consultation of traditionalists were the major reasons for delays.

Citing Articles

Clinical Characteristics of Inpatients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer Admitted with Non-Ulcer Complaints: A Retrospective Study.

Li L, Li Y, Qin S, Zeng J, Ma W, Wei D Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2025; 18:399-411.

PMID: 39957798 PMC: 11829744. DOI: 10.2147/DMSO.S502164.

Delayed treatment of diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes and its prediction model.

Chen H, Xi Y World J Diabetes. 2024; 15(10):2070-2080.

PMID: 39493562 PMC: 11525728. DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i10.2070.

Healthcare workers' perspectives on diabetic foot complications among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Fiji.

Saverio S, Mohammadnezhad M, Raikanikoda F PLoS One. 2024; 19(9):e0307972.

PMID: 39312522 PMC: 11419386. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307972.

Development and Validation of the Healthcare-Seeking Intention Questionnaire in Patients with Diabetic High-Risk Foot.

Wang H, Li N, Ye Y, Zhao N, Liu M, Xu M Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024; 18:1873-1883.

PMID: 39286515 PMC: 11404499. DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S479644.

Reasons, experiences and expectations of women with delayed medical care for ectopic pregnancies in Chinese urban edges: a qualitative study.

Liu J, Liang Y, Su Y, Lilenga H, Zhai J BMJ Open. 2024; 14(3):e076035.

PMID: 38553063 PMC: 10982742. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076035.

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