Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:to explore attitudes towards patients' self-reported data about foot health-related beliefs from a behavioural and attitudinal perspective. Methods:a sample of 282 participants of a mean age of 39.46 ± 16.026 came to a health centre where self-reported demographic, clinical characteristics and beliefs relating to foot health data were registered, informants' completed all the stages of the research process. Results:the results of the analysis revealed an 8-factor factorial structure based on (1) podiatric behaviours, (2) the intention to carry out protective behaviour, (3) attitudinal beliefs, (4) normative beliefs, (5) needs, (6) apathy, (7) self-care, and (8) the general perception of foot health. They all explained 62.78% of the variance, and were considered as independent variables in a regression analysis to determine which provided the best explanations for the importance attributed to foot health. Conclusions:the participants in the study revealed a positive attitude in relation to foot health care and responsible behaviour.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increase in life expectancy and the high prevalence of foot pathologies related to obesity, diabetes, the practice of sport, vascular alterations, physical injury and a sedentary lifestyle[1] for which there is no total cure and where the therapeutic goal is to relieve or eliminate symptoms, avoid complications and improve the patient’s wellbeing, means that classical medical measurements of outcome (mortality, morbidity, life expectancy) are insufficient to provide a thorough assessment of whether patients receive appropriate and effective treatment for foot diseases
31.1 Regular foot check-ups. 31.2 Specific foot care products 34.4 Benefit from foot check-ups 30.7 Well-being deriving from foot check-up 30.5 Satisfaction deriving from foot check-up 33.4 I am starting to use specific products 33.3 I am starting to use appropriate footwear 33.1 I am starting to go for foot check-ups 33.2 Friends recommend the importance of foot care 32.3 The people around me think I should look after my feet 32.2
Using appropriate footwear is beneficial 30.4. People exaggerate when it comes to looking after their feet 30.8 I feel bad about going to the podiatrist 31.6 I go to beauty centres to take care of my feet 34.2 The extent to which I can look after my own feet 31.3
Summary
The increase in life expectancy and the high prevalence of foot pathologies related to obesity, diabetes, the practice of sport, vascular alterations, physical injury and a sedentary lifestyle[1] for which there is no total cure and where the therapeutic goal is to relieve or eliminate symptoms, avoid complications and improve the patient’s wellbeing, means that classical medical measurements of outcome (mortality, morbidity, life expectancy) are insufficient to provide a thorough assessment of whether patients receive appropriate and effective treatment for foot diseases Such problems currently affect between 71 and 93% of general population and are a frequent cause of medical and foot care[2] since they have been shown to be neither minor nor banal and have a negative influence on functional capacity and quality of life[3,4,5]. We will be able to perceive whether the main motive is related to the negative impact of foot diseases on functional capacity and quality of life[10] and in this regard the main tool for the analysis of health research is the construction of questionnaires on a scientific basis[11] as a reliable method of measuring results and generating clinical evidence, The importance of a study of this kind lies in the possibility of analyzing particular behaviors and our knowledge of the psychosocial context, since they can potentially generate a risk of suffering from foot pathologies
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