ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Misconceptions and health-seeking behavior among diabetic patients regarding foot ulcers: the hidden role of circulatory awareness in preventing amputation.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a leading cause of preventable amputation worldwide. Patient misconceptions and poor circulatory awareness are underrecognized drivers of delayed presentation in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess DFU-related misconceptions, circulatory awareness, and health-seeking behavior, and identify predictors of delayed care-seeking. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2026 among 574 adult diabetic patients attending 11 outpatient facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A validated structured questionnaire assessed misconceptions, circulation awareness, health-seeking behavior, and prior education sources. Descriptive statistics, Results: The mean misconception score was 3.04 ± 0.34 (scale 1-5); 55.6% indicated a wound warrants attention only when painful, 65.0% stated they would delay care for a painless blister, and 50.7% would wait for pain before treating a painless ulcer. Circulation awareness averaged 3.25 ± 0.38; only 28.4% adequately distinguished nerve damage from circulatory impairment. Only 45.6% had received structured foot care education, while internet or social media (61.9%) outranked healthcare providers (35.9%) as the primary information source. Male sex (OR = 1.536, 95% CI 1.092-2.161, Conclusion: Saudi diabetic patients demonstrated substantial DFU misconceptions and delay propensity, with pain-centric beliefs and inadequate formal education as key contributing factors. Structured, circulation-focused patient education within primary and family medicine settings may help address delayed presentation and support amputation prevention efforts.
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