Knowledge and practices for the prevention of the diabetic foot

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, with a random stratified sample, comprised of 304 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The information was collected through an instrument designed by the researchers that assessed sociodemographic aspects, and level of knowledge and practices of the participants in diabetic foot care prevention.

RESULTS

In the assessment of diabetic foot care prevention, there was a low and average level of knowledge, whereas practices were moderately adequate.

CONCLUSIONS

The results for diabetic foot prevention knowledge and practices are not very encouraging. In light of this situation, primary care programs are important, where nurses provide effective education, as a mechanism for modifying the behavior of people with diabetes mellitus.

Keywords:
Self care; Diabetic foot; Knowledge; Nursing.

Socioeconomic variables	n	%
Sex
Female	207	68.1
Male	97	31.9
Total	304	100%
Age group
<40 years old	7	2.3
40-49 years old	45	15.1
50-59 years old	81	27.1
60-69 years old	93	31.1
70-79 years old	57	19.1
80-89 years old	15	5
≥90 years old	1	0.3
Mean age: 62
SD: ±11.1
Total	304	100%
Education
None	41	13.5
Complete elementary	60	19.7
Incomplete elementary	106	34.9
Complete secondary	26	8.6
Incomplete secondary	64	21.1
Technician	4	1.3
Technologist	1	0.3
University	2	0.7
Total	304	100%
Marital status
Married	86	28.3
Divorced	27	8.9
Single	64	21.1
Common law relationship	71	23.4
Widowed	56	18.4
Total	304	100%
Occupation
Homemaker	164	53.9
Unemployed	33	10.9
Employed	9	3
Self-employed	97	31.9
Retired	1	0.3
Total	304	100%
EPS
No information	5	1.6
Cafesalud	8	2.6
Canaima	1	0.3
Comfamiliar	136	44.7
Comparta	58	19.1
Medimás	95	31.3
Sisben	1	0.3
Total	304	100%

Level of knowledge	n	%
Low	77	25.3
Average	175	57.6
High	52	17.1

Level of practices	n	%
Inadequate self-care practices	4	1.3
Moderately adequate self-care practices	197	64.8
Highly adequate self-care practices	103	33.9

Variable		Level of knowledge						p
		Low		Average		High
		n	%	n	%	n	%
Age group	<40 years old	1	14.3	4	57.1	2	28.6	0.015
	40-49 years old	9	20.0	25	55.6	11	24.4
	50-59 years old	12	14.8	49	60.5	20	24.7
	60-69 years old	21	22.6	64	68.8	8	8.6
	70-79 years old	22	38.6	27	47.4	8	14.0
	80-89 years old	8	53.3	4	26.7	3	20.0
	≥90 years old	0	0.0	1	100.0	0	0.0
CEO Headquarters	Canaima	17	21.8	43	55.1	18	23.1	0.014
	Eduardo Santos	16	45.7	14	40.0	5	14.3
	Granjas	14	20.0	42	60.0	14	20.0
	IPC	14	30.4	32	69.6	0	0.0
	Palmas	11	22.4	30	61.2	8	16.3
	Siete de Agosto	5	19.2	14	53.8	7	26.9
Education	None	18	43.9	22	53.7	1	2.4	0.000
	Complete elementary	10	16.7	42	70.0	8	13.3
	Incomplete elementary	36	34.0	53	50.0	17	16.0
	Complete secondary	5	19.2	12	46.2	9	34.6
	Incomplete secondary	7	10.9	45	70.3	12	18.8
	Technician	1	25.0	0	0.0	3	75.0
	Technologist	0	0.0	0	0.0	1	100.0
	University	0	0.0	1	50.0	1	50.0
Marital status	Married	14	16.3	48	55.8	24	27.9	0.001
	Divorced	7	25.9	15	55.6	5	18.5
	Single	13	20.3	43	67.2	8	12.5
	Common law	17	23.9	44	62.0	10	14.1
	Widowed	26	46.4	25	44.6	5	8.9

Variable		Level of practices						p
		Inadequate self-care practices		Moderately adequate self-care practices		Highly adequate self-care practices
		n	%	n	%	n	%
EPS	No information	1	20.0	3	60.0	1	20.0	0.049
	Cafesalud	0	0.0	7	87.5	1	12.5
	Canaima	0	0.0	0	0.0	1	100.0
	Comfamiliar	2	1.5	97	71.3	37	27.2
	Comparta	1	1.8	35	61.4	22	36.8
	Medimás	0	0.0	54	56.8	41	43.2
	Sisben	0	0.0	1	100.0	0	0.0
Sex	Female	3	1.4	143	69.1	61	29.5	0.018
Sex	Male	1	1.0	54	55.7	42	43.3	0.018

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Escola de Enfermagem Rua São Manoel, 963 -Campus da Saúde , 90.620-110 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil, Fone: (55 51) 3308-5242 / Fax: (55 51) 3308-5436 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: revista@enf.ufrgs.br

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[1] Corresponding author:
Claudia Ramirez-Perdomo. clauram1@hotmail.com