KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF FOOT HEALTH AND CARE AMONG APPARENTLY HEALTHY ADULTS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

Background: Foot health is an important but often neglected component of overall well-being. Despite the high prevalence of foot ailments globally, there is a paucity of research on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to foot health among the general adult population in Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of foot health and care among apparently healthy adults in Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1000 apparently healthy adults (598 males, 402 females) residing in Benin City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). It assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of foot health, attitudes towards foot care, self-reported foot health, and foot care practices. Data collected was summarized using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: 41.7% of respondents rated foot care as 'Very Important', and 48.0% reported giving their foot health 'No thought at all'. Foot ailments were common, with pain in the ball of the feet being the most frequent (56.5%). This pain significantly impacted daily life, inhibiting sleep for most respondents (56.3%). Foot care practices were reactive, with a preference for informal information sources like specific health websites (57.5%) over professional consultation. Sociodemographic factors such as age (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes towards foot health and care. Conclusion: Apparently healthy adults in Benin City possess fair to good knowledge and attitudes towards foot health but foot care practices are reactive. Their foot health is impacted by common among them. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health initiatives to improve foot health literacy and promote preventive care practices in Benin City.