Abstract
Background
Wound healing has classically been described to occur in three phases, regardless of the mechanism of injury. These phases are the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases. Chronic diseases adversely affect the wound healing process, and more needs to be done for different policies, such as adjustment of drug therapy, diet, or behavior to help rapid wound healing. Diabetes, auto-immune diseases, obesity, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal disease, and cancers are the frequent co-morbidities affecting wound healing.
Aim
To assess the public knowledge about how common chronic diseases affect wound healing postoperatively in Aseer Region.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional study targeting the general population living in the Aseer region for at least a year. Data were collected using a pre-structured electronic questionnaire initiated by the researchers after an intense literature review and experts’ consultation. The study questionnaire covered participants’ data, smoking and medical history, surgical history, and participant knowledge items. A questionnaire was used as a digital survey and distributed to all participants in a private and anonymous process.
Results
A total of 502 participants completed the study questionnaire. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 60 years, with a mean age of 34.6 ± 12.9 years old. A total of 294 (58.6%) participants were males, and 341 (67.9%) were university graduates. Exact 430 (85.7%) know that Supervision and control of Diabetes Mellitus help in wound healing, 369 (73.5%) reported that Chronic diseases delay wound healing, and 449 (89.4%) think that commitment to therapeutic and preventive plans before and after any surgical procedure contributing in rapid wound healing for chronic diseases patients. As for the effect of chronic diseases on a surgical wound, 320 (63.7%) reported delayed wound healing, 241 (48%) knew it may increase the infection, and 186 (37.1%) reported it might Decrease blood supply to the site of a wound.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the study revealed that more than half of the population in Aseer regions were knowledgeable regarding the effect of chronic diseases on post-optative wound healing, especially for the benefit of a commitment to therapeutic and preventive plans before and after any surgical procedure.