title: [A comparative study of social representations of diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot].
abstract: The study aimed to investigate social representations of the terms "diabetes" and "diabetic foot" in different populations. Participants were divided into groups: diabetics (GD); non- diabetics (GN); and non-diabetic healthcare professionals (GP). Personal data were collected, and subjects answered two questions that were expected to evoke five words that came to mind when they thought of "diabetes" and then "diabetic foot". The evoked material was analyzed with the software Ensemble de Programmes Permettant l'Analyse dês Èvocations. A total of 161 subjects participated, including GD (n = 72) with a mean age of 56.12 ± 5.49 years; GN (n = 38) with a mean age of 54.29 ± 7.91 years; and GP (n = 51) with 34.95 ± 7.52 years. The term "diabetes" evoked 297 words in GD, 172 in GN, and 235 words in GP. The term "diabetic foot" evoked 180 words in GD, 90 in GN, and 236 in GP. The groups proved to be anxious for more information, thus confirming the need for awareness-raising and educational programs on diabetes, covering comprehensive issues concerning the disease.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Presidente Venceslau, União Nacional das Instituições de Ensino Superior Privadas, Presidente Venceslau, Brasil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Madia
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cristina Elena Prado Teles
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fregonesi
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brasil.
authors.forename: Elisa Bizetti
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Pelai
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brasil.
authors.forename: Aline Madia
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brasil.
authors.forename: Nathalia Ulices
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Savian
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brasil.
authors.forename: Priscila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pagotto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception