The effect of education given to diabetic patients by message framing method on diabetic foot knowledge level and footcare behaviours

This study was conducted to determine the effect of education applied to individuals with diabetes using the message framing method on diabetic foot knowledge level and foot care behaviors. The study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample of the study consisted of 66 individuals with diabetes who applied to Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital Internal Medicine outpatient and inpatient clinics between 23.10.23 and 15.06.24. In the study, individuals were divided into two experimental groups (possitive message group and negative message group) and control groups by randomization and was completed with a total of 57 partipants, 19 in each group. Education containig positive and negative messages was administered two message-framed groups to provide health teachings about diabetic foot care. Diabetic foot knowledge and care behaviors of the two experimental groups and the control group were measured before and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Diabetic Foot Knowledge Scale (DABS) and the Diabetic Foot Self-Care Behavior Scale(DAÖS).A personal information form was used to measure the individuals' demographic characteristics and diabetic foot stage. Chi-square, Kruskal Vallis-H Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Wilcoxon Sign test and Sidak test were used in analysis of the data. The difference in diabetic foot knowledge level average scores before and after training showed a statistically significant increase in all three groups (p<0.05), and the highest score was in positive message group; It was determined that the foot care behavior mean scores were significant in the positive and negative message groups (p<0.05) and insignificant in control group (p>0.05), with the highest score increase in the positive group. After the intervention, it was determined that the knowledge and foot care behavior score averages of the two experimental groups were higher than the control group, and this height was significant in the knowledge scale (p<0.05) and insignificant (p>0.05) in foot care behavior scale. In conclusion; It was concluded that the education provided by message framing method was effective in increasing the level of diabetic foot knowledge and improwing foot care behaviors. It is recommended to implement trainings containing positive messages to improve diabetic foot knowledge and foot care behavior in individuals with diabetes. Keywords: Diabetic Foot, Education, Message Framing, Foot Care Behavior