Abstract
BACKGROUND - The foundation of primary health care (PHC) is illness prevention and
promoting good health. It involves patient education, counselling, disease prevention,
maintenance of health, and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disorders in
various healthcare settings. Ideally, this approach should include or perhaps be the strategic
justification for including foot health-related services.
Most South Africans access health services via clinics managed by the government.
The health department of each province manages various health services via primary,
secondary, and tertiary health care centres. Every South African citizen is assured access to
health as per the South African Constitution.
METHOD – This was a cross-sectional retrospective design study, the researcher used
quantitative methods. Cross-sectional studies are intersectional studies, with the chosen
population for the study analysed during a specific time frame. The determinants of risk and
conclusion are looked at together
RESULTS - In this study, data was collected from 566 patient files who had presented across
all three PHCCs presented with a diabetic foot complication, of which 51% of patients
presented with neuropathy. This number signals or confirms that the patients presenting at
PHCCs have diabetic foot complications. Given the outcomes of this study, foot health
promotion and foot health services should be available across all PHCCs. Podiatrists are best
suited to drive this initiative.
CONCLUSION – During data collection, it was evident that no precise management and
referral pathway exists for patients with diabetic foot complications. If this does not change, a
significant segment of the patient population is systematically and structurally overlooked.
Diabetic patients with foot complaints are inadequately managed across the country, which
should concern policymakers. Therefore, policymakers need to look at developing a strategic
framework for the management of patients with diabetic foot complications. The researcher
also found that nurses’ education around foot and ankle is limited and needs to be standardised
on their approach and consequent management of diabetic foot complications.