Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 25-33
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260404
Footcare Knowledge and Footwear Practices Among Diabetic Patients in Pune: A Rural–Urban Comparative Study
Himani Jain1, Shilpa Patankar2, Ishika Gill3, Sanjana Jhanbia4, Juhi Shisode5, Sara Manoj Sankhe6
1,3,4,5,6MBBS student, 2Associate Professor, Department of Surgery,
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be) Medical College, Pune, India.
Corresponding Author: Ishika Gill
ABSTRACT
Context: Foot complications are among the most preventable yet neglected consequences of diabetes. Appropriate footwear and regular footcare can reduce ulcers and amputations, but adherence remains suboptimal. Rural–urban differences in education and access to care may influence awareness and preventive practices.
Aims: To assess and compare knowledge and practices related to footcare and footwear among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in rural and urban settings.
Settings and Design: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted among T2DM patients attending a tertiary care hospital (urban) and a primary health centre (rural) in Pune.
Methods and Material: A total of 328 participants (164 rural, 164 urban) were selected using consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire assessing footcare and footwear practices. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v29 with Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate depends on expected count.
Results: Urban participants had significantly better awareness and adherence to preventive measures than rural participants. Daily foot washing (88.4% vs 46.3%), shoe inspection (25% vs 1.2%), and therapeutic footwear use (40.9% vs 1.2%) were higher in the urban group (p<0.001). Despite reported education (urban 40.9%, rural 62.2%), overall adherence to daily inspection and consistent footwear use remained below 25%.
Conclusions: Although awareness of diabetic footcare exists, practice remains poor, especially in rural populations. Strengthening culturally appropriate education, affordable protective footwear, and regular multidisciplinary screening can reduce diabetic foot complications and improve quality of life.
Key words: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Footcare Practices; Footwear Awareness; Rural–Urban Comparison; Diabetic Foot Prevention; Patient Education