Investigation of the effect of diabetic foot training on the knowledge, attitude and behavior of patients with diabetes mellitus diagnosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the change in knowledge, attitude and behavior levels in the control group in which diabetic foot training was given and the control group in which no diabetic foot training was given on patients with Type 2 DM. Method: It was planned as a randomized controlled intervention study. At Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziemir, Education Family Health Centre No 10, between September 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018 was carried out with 114 patients. Patients older than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with Type 2 DM and accepted to participate in the study were included. One-to-one, face-to-face, practical training and leaflets were given to the intervention group using real materials. Training brochures were given to the control group. The same questionnaires were applied 1 week and 3 months after the training. The data of the study were analyzed with IBM SPSS (Statistical Package For Social Sciences) 22 package program. In statistical analysis, descriptive analysis, t-test, related sampling one-way analysis of variance, chi-square analysis, repeated measurement analysis, ANOVA were used. Results: The mean of knowledge, attitude and total score measured after 1 week and after 3 months in both intervention and control groups increased significantly compared to the pre-randomization (p<0.001). There was no significant increase in the mean behavior score at the end of the first month and at the end of the third month (p=0.591 and p=0.901). In the control group, the mean behavior score measured at the end of the third month was significantly higher than the baseline (p=0.023). Conclusion: Diabetic patients should be continuously supported by educative studies on diabetic foot. In these studies, it should be taken into consideration that behavioral change can only be achieved in the long term. Keywords: Diabetes, foot, education, knowledge attitude and behavior. Keywords: Diabetes, foot, education, knowledge attitude and behavior.