Abstract

MELO, Elizabeth Mesquita et al. Evaluation of interfering factors in treatment adherence of patients with diabetic foot conditions. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2011, vol.serIII, n.5, pp.37-44. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIII1107.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires adjustments in patients’ daily lives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment adherence of patients with diabetic foot conditions. A descriptive, quantitative study was carried out in a specialized diabetes institution, Fortaleza-CE, with 45 patients with diabetic foot conditions. Data were collected during February and March 2009 and displayed using charts and tables. The project was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Fortaleza. Patients were informed about the study, their participation was voluntary. Most were male, aged 50-79 years and married. The main factors that interfered with treatment adherence included poor education, socio-economic level, knowledge deficit about the disease and poor access to health services. Most patients used homemade products to heal the injury, demonstrating belief in previous experiments. It is essential that patients are encouraged to take responsibility for their care, emphasizing the need for changes in lifestyle.

Keywords : evaluation; therapeutics; diabetic foot.

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