Determination of diabetic foot problems and care behaviors in individuals with diabetes admitted to the family health center

Prevention of diabetic patients' foot problems and refering them with early diagnosis are crucial. In our country, while patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are getting their services primarily from diabetes's polyclinics, they also utilize from family health centers for DM and several health problems. Study aims to detect foot care behaviors and present foot problems of patients with diabetic foot getting their services from family health centers. Study was conducted with 150 diabetic patients who applied to one of the family health centers. Data collection form containing 50 questions was used to evaluate socio-demographic features, characteristics of diabetes treatment and control, and behaviors intended for foot care. All of the cases got foot examination. In the foot examination, some fetaures of the foot such as warmth, humidity, pulse, skin integrity, edema colour, foot and nail deformities, loss of sense, and ulcer were evaluated by using Diabetic Foot Examination Form. Semmes-Weinstein 10 gr. Monfilament for evaluation of sensation and diapazon 128 mhz for vibration were used to assess sensorial neuropathy. 51,3% of cases were female, 46,7% of them are over 60 years of age. 52,7% of them got diagnosed with retinopathy, and 31,3% of them got diagnosed with neuropathy. 92,7% of the cases (n=139) wash their foot daily, 76% of the cases cut their nails straightly, 82,7% of the cases (n=124) choose healthy stockings. Just 27,3% of the cases (n=41 ) used cream for their foot care. Between 21.4% and Changing percentages between 21,4% and 50% of the cases had different nail problems and 17,3 % of the cases (n=26) had fungal infection in their interdigital spaces. 25,3% of the cases (n=38) did not feel monofilament in sensation test, and 10,7% of the cases (n=16) did not feel vibration with diapozon. Among cases, 23,3% of them do not get regular diabetes control, and they just go family health center. This is detected among cases followed by diabetic polyclinics (77,4%), number of the patients who examine their foot themselves is more than the others (p=0.003). Study determined that diabetic patients do not get foot examination in family health center. Study recommends that diabetic patients' foot should be examined regularly in family health center and patients should be educated about foot care.