Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Patients Regarding Chronic Wound Care and Point Prevalance of Chronic Wounds at Surgical and Medical Units in Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Management of chronic wounds remains a challenging clinical problem. The correct and efficient management of wounds by health professionals as well as the compliance of patients are essential for healing of these wounds. Objective: To identify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients regarding chronic wound care and to assess point prevalence of different types of chronic wounds in surgical and medical units in Teaching Hospital Karapitiya (THK), Sri Lanka. Methodology: This study was performed on patients who were admitted and treated for chronic wounds at surgical and medical units, in THK during a one month period from 1 st April 2016 to 30 th April 2016. Their knowledge on aetiology, treatments, prevention and associated conditions of chronic wounds, attitudes on newer treatments, causes, effectiveness of non medical treatments and personal belief regarding chronic wounds and individual practices in treating chronic wounds were assessed using a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. Results were analyzed using the aggregate score calculated based on their answers (right or wrong) to those individual questions. Results: The study sample comprised of 207 subjects that include 145 (70%) males and 62 (30%) females. The knowledge level was unsatisfactory in 83.6% (173) of the study sample. When considering attitudes, 64.7% (134) of participants had negative attitudes towards chronic wound care. In terms of practice, results showed that 56% (116) of participants had unsatisfactory level of practice. Association between knowledge, attitude and practices with selected demographic variables was assessed by using Pearson chi square test. The point prevalence of wounds were diabetic wounds 38.2%(79), bed sore 11.1% (23), surgical site wound 10.6%(22), burn 9.2%(19), venous ulcers 7.7%(16), arterial insufficiency ulcers 2.4% (5) and other types 20.8%(43). Conclusion: The results revealed that there were strong associations of knowledge, attitudes and practices with age and educational status. Therefore it is necessary to improve and develop educational strategies to create awareness of patients, for the effective prevention of occurrence of chronic wounds and prevention of recurrences of chronic wounds. Prevention of diabetes may cause to reduce the burden of chronic wounds by a considerable proportion.