Evaluation of nurses' knowledge levels on diabetic foot care management in diabetic patients

2. SUMMARY Evaluation of Nurses' Knowledge Levels on Diabetic Foot Care Management in Diabetic Patients Name of the Student: Zahide KAYA Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Anita KARACA Department: Nursing Aim:This study was planned to evaluate the knowledge levels in the subjects such as the risk factors related with the diabetic foot care management of the nurses in diabetic patients, foot examination, precautions for diabetic foot complications and shoe selection, and to determine the factors affecting diabetic foot care management. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive research. The sample of the researcher was 435 nurses who worked in a private hospital in Istanbul between 01.09.2016-01.12.2016 and agreed to participate in the research. Research data were collected with "Nurse Information Form" and "Nurse's Knowledge Level Form on Diabetic Foot Management". This form has the lowest "0 point", and the highest "68 points". The increase in score indicates that nurses' knowledge of diabetic foot management is increasing. The data of the study were analyzed with the SPSS 15.00 program. Results: It was determined that the mean age of the nurses was 26.37 ± 4.974, 76.8% (n = 334) were female, 72.6% (n = 316) were single and 61.1% (n = 266) had bachelor's degree. The total score of the "Diabetic Foot Management Knowledge Level Form" of the nurses ranged from 34 to 67 with an average of 58.67 ± 5.939. The highest score of the nurses according to the "Diabetic Foot Management Knowledge Level Form" was the subsection for "Foot Complications" (26.47 ± 2.639) and the lowest score was the subsection for "Foot Surgery" (9.46 ± 1.148). Conclusion: It was determined that the knowledge levels of nurses on diabetic foot management were good but there were training needs for diabetic foot risk factors and etiology. Key words: Nursing, diabetes, diabetic foot.