The effectiveness of foot care education on people with type 2 diabetes in Tehran, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a simple educational program on the knowledge and practice of people with type 2 diabetes in relation to the foot at risk in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-eight people with type 2 diabetes underwent a structured interview using a 32-item designed questionnaire (DiFoKaPS-32) about their knowledge of foot care standards in diabetes and their personal foot care behaviours. Each participant in the study received a single 20 min education session individually. The mode of the intervention was face-to-face.


RESULTS
The applied educational intervention aimed at patients with type 2 diabetes has improved their knowledge and practice about diabetic foot care (P<0.0001 and P=0.011; Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, respectively). Knowledge and practice scores were increased significantly after the education in the lean group (BMI < or =25) rather than the obese ones.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion the findings of our study have shown that a simple face-to-face education is an effective and applied method to improve the knowledge about foot care. It has also shown that it could increase the motivation and change the behaviour of people with type 2 diabetes regarding their feet. In addition, the obese patients referring to a diabetic clinic need much more attentions and tighter care programs.
Vatankhah
Nasibeh
N
Education & Development Center (EDC), Gifted and Talented Students Council, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14496, Iran. nasibeh.vatankhah@yahoo.com
Khamseh
Mohammad Ebrahim
ME
Noudeh
Younes Jahangiri
YJ
Aghili
Rokhsareh
R
Baradaran
Hamid Reza
HR
Haeri
Nami Safai
NS
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires