PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate foot ulcer risk factors, foot care knowledge, and foot care practice in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHOD One hundred fifty type 2 diabetic patients were in and out-patients in a large urban hospital. The data were collected using a self-report questionnaire, chart review and foot examination. The questionnaires were developed by the researchers through the experts consultation and literature review. High risk for foot ulcer was evaluated by peripheral neuropathy(PN), peripheral vascular disease(PVD), and prior foot ulcer. Foot risk scores(FRS) means numbers of present risk factors. RESULTS 31.3% of subjects show 1 FRS, and 13.3% showed 2 FRS. Mean foot care frequency was 3.5 times per week. There were significant differences in foot care knowledge according to DM education (t=2.96, p=.004) and foot care education (t=3.65, p=.001). There were significant differences in the foot care practice activities according to duration of DM (t=3.48, p=.010) and educational levels. CONCLUSION There were high proportion of foot ulcer risk among the patients. It is necessary to screen high risk foot ulcer patients and provide practical education for foot care practice of diabetic patients.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the change in foot care knowledge, self care behavior, and physiologic indexes after foot reflexomassage education program, and the related factors. METHOD: Data were collected from 20 patients who were visited out patients clinic. The change and difference were analyzed with non-parametric statistics. RESULT: There were significant differences in foot care knowledge(P=.001), self care behavior(P=.000), dosalis pedis blood flow volume (P=.011), skin temperature of foot(P=.001), dorsalis pedis pulse(P=.000), capillary filling time of foot (P=.000) between pre and post. The level of changes of foot care knowledge was significant differences according to admission experience (P=.049), and negative related to systolic blood pressure(P=.028). The level of changes of self care behavior was related to age(P=.049), that of dosalis pedis blood flow was significant difference according to smoking(P=.042), that of skin temperature of foot(P=.002) and dosalis pedis pulse(P=.038) were significant difference according to weight. The level of changes of capillary filling time of foot was related to diagnosis period(P=.014). CONCLUSION: Foot- Reflexo-Massage education program is an effective nursing intervention to promote foot care in diabetic patients. And the related factors can be recommended for the management of diabetic patients.