Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test one group design with a convenience sample was used to select the 46 type 2 diabetic mellitus patients in a selected outpatient clinic of a hospital in Trinidad. Self-structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge regarding diabetes and diabetic foot care. The conceptual framework for this study was based on modified health belief model of Rosenstock. The data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: In the study most subjects understood what diabetes was and 95% knew diabetes was caused by an insulin problem, however only 7% knew that tingling pain or numbness in the feet was a symptom of diabetes and a sign of nerve damage which precipitates foot ulcers. 24% knew that walking bare feet indoors was a risk for foot injury while 20% knew not to delay medical attention if the foot is injured for more than one day. 52% did daily foot examinations but only 39% used a mirror to inspect under the feet, while only 26% inspected the shoes prior to wearing it.
Apart from the category of “meaning of diabetes”, all other areas of knowledge tested (causes, signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment and prevention and foot care practice) showed a significant difference of improvement in scores. Therefore, there was enough evidences to conclude that the Video Assisted Teaching Programme (VATP) is making a difference in the five tested aspects of knowledge of subjects. Hence research hypothesis H1 was accepted.
Conclusion: The study found Knowledge score about foot care practices among the subjects increased from 38% to 61% after the VATP was administered.