Self-efficacy of foot care behaviour of elderly patients with diabetes.

INTRODUCTION

Elderly patients with diabetes are at a high risk of contracting diabetic foot problems. Self-efficacy is essential to help improve foot care behaviour.

AIM

To identify levels of self-efficacy and foot care behaviour and their relationship with demographic characteristics in elderly patients with diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in two general hospitals in Malaysia from May to June 2015. Diabetes patients aged 60 years with specific inclusion criteria were invited to participate in this study. The respondents were interviewed using a set of validated questionnaires. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0.

RESULTS

Levels of foot self-efficacy (mean+31.39; standard deviation=7.76) and foot care behaviour (mean=25.37; SD=5.88) were high. There was a positive significant relationship between foot self-efficacy (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and gender (β = 0.30, < 0.001) with foot care behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Self-efficacy can be incorporated in diabetes education to improve foot care behaviour. High-risk patients should be taught proper foot inspection and protection as well as the merits of skin care to prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot problems.