Evaluation of foot care and self-efficacy in patients with diabetes in Turkey: an interventional study

Ulceration of the feet, which can result in loss of limbs and even death, is one of the major health problems for people with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of foot care education on patient awareness of the importance of foot care, their foot care-related behavior and sense of self efficacy in being able to take care of their own feet in Turkey. The study was a randomized controlled study. Ninety patients with diabetes mellitus were followed. Cases were stratified by the presence and absence of education on foot care. Foot care education relevant to the needs of the study group was developed on the basis of Bandura’s social learning theory. The diabetic foot care self efficacy scale (DFCSES), the foot self-care behavior scale (FSCBS), and the diabetic foot knowledge subscale (DFKS) were used to evaluate, at 3-month intervals, the knowledge patients had about foot care before and after receiving the education. The scores for DFCSES, FSCBS, and DFKS of the experimental group increased during follow-up in the study group receiving foot care education while the scores of the cases in control group did not change. Education is a major tool for improvement in awareness of foot care in cases with diabetes mellitus. Self-efficacy levels of individuals regarding foot care should be evaluated, and accordingly, individual strategies should be developed to provide efficient foot care.