ABSTRACT
Objectives:
to verify the association between knowledge and adherence to foot self-care practices performed by patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Methods:
cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out with 197 patients in basic health units located in the Northeast region of Brazil. For data collection, we used a semi-structured questionnaire that addressed issues inherent to knowledge and Diabetes Self-Care Activities.
Results:
we observed that patients with moderate knowledge about self-care practices were more likely to perform foot self-examination, dry the interdigital spaces, moisturize their feet with creams and oils, observe the presence of mycosis and ingrown toenail when compared to patients with insufficient knowledge.
Conclusions:
the patients' level of knowledge was closely related to the self-care activities carried out, which reinforces the importance of nurses working on training those on essential health care.
Descriptors:
Diabetes Mellitus; Knowledge; Self-Care; Foot; Nursing