Competency in Diabetes Foot Care Practices in Saudi Arabians through the lens of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has disproportionally high prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which translates to high incidences of diabetes complications with severe socioeconomic and health burden. Diabetes foot ulcers are some of the debilitating diabetes complications with serious ramifications on socioeconomic and health dynamics.  Self-care practices have been shown to improve diabetes foot care outcomes. However, the efficiency of such practices seems to heavily rely on individual’s competency, which is herein delineated with knowledge, practice and attitude. This narrative review discussed the level of diabetes foot care competency among Saudi resident through the lens of Orem’s self-care deficit theory. Moreover, the diverse factors affecting self-care competency, such as socioeconomic status, level of education, access to information, and demographic characteristics have been discussed. Overall, the sharp inconsistencies in the literature evidence call for meta-analysis for a more focused view of self-care competency levels.