A recent study has shown that the risk of severe foot injuries to Jordanian people with diabetes is very high within their own households.

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for foot complications due to a loss of feeling in their feet. A study in Jordan has shown that common household accidents can cause severe diabetic foot complications without the patient realising. Commonly, the injuries occur from boiling water or hot ash from cooking, or from washing with water that is too hot. Many Jordanians wash up to five-times a day when observing Islamic prayer.

 The researchers interviewed several patients with diabetes who had household foot injuries, finding that most did not seek healthcare for their injuries until they became obvious.

'A neighbour had a wooden stove...I went to bake whole grain bread...I rested my foot on the hot ash,' said one of the interviewed patients. 'I felt like warmness. It was nice, it was not hurting. After I finished baking, I did ablution and prayed, went to bed, nothing was wrong. In the morning, my feet were swollen, every bubble like this (large and hard).'

The study concluded that diabetic foot care education was widely needed in Jordan to improve health outcomes.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Locals, Petra, Jordan. Credit: Dave_B_ on Flickr.