Objective: Diabetic foot ulcers are an invasive complication of diabetes and are increasing. This study investigates the relationship between health beliefs and foot self-care behaviors, among people with type II diabetes.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted, and 98 patients were recruited from outpatient clinics of the endocrine department. The questionnaires of Demographic, Diabetes Foot Ulcer Health Belief Scale (Health Beliefs, DFUHBS), and Diabetes Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale (Self Care, DFSBS) were used to collect data.
Results: Among the subjects living alone or who had diabetes less than ten years, the score of DFSBS was significantly lower than among those living with families or who had diabetes for ten years or more. The frequency of performing diabetes foot self-care behavior, among males was lower than among females significantly. Although there was no significant difference in the Health Belief total score, there were differences in the benefit subscale. Those who had junior high school level or less or had diabetes less than ten years, their score was significantly lower than those with senior high school level or more or had diabetes ten years or more. In a multivariable regression model, living with family, diabetes duration, and health beliefs explained 42.9% of the variance of diabetic-foot self-care behaviors.
Conclusions: Living alone, shorter duration of diabetes, male gender, and lower health belief scores predict less adequate diabetic foot self-care behavior. Health care providers should assess these factors when designing individual care plans.
Keywords: diabetes; foot ulcer; health behavior; health belief; self-care.