Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study to determine the foot health status of individuals with type 2 diabetes and the factors affecting them, to use a protocol to protect and improve foot health for individuals with diabetes, and to determine the effects of this protocol on foot health problems (regarding dermatology, orthopedics, circulation, sensory, footwear and self-care skills), foot health knowledge and foot care behaviors.

Materials and Methods: The population of the study consisted of patients with type 2 diabetes who applied to Hatay Training and Research Hospital Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Polyclinic. A total of 70 individuals with diabetes who met the research criteria were randomized to intervention and control groups at the start of the study. Data were collected using Diabetes Information Form, Foot Examination Form, Foot Care Knowledge Level Form, Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare (NAFF) and Foot Care Protocol Satisfaction Level Form. Four interviews were conducted with the intervention group while two were conducted with the control group. In the power analysis performed at the end of the study, the results of the comparisons were computed at 95%, 99% confidence interval, and P<0.05, P<0.01 significance level.

Results: As a result of the intervention in the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding dermatological problems related to the feet, burning sensation in the feet, footwear and problems related to self-care (P<0.01). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found in the pretest-posttest scores of the intervention group regarding foot care knowledge level and Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare scores (P<0.01).

Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that the foot care protocol applied to individuals with type 2 diabetes increased the level of foot care knowledge and consequently reduced foot health problems.