Abstract

GACK GHELMAN, L.; SOUZA, M.H. do N.  and  MACHADO TINOCO FEITOSA ROSAS, A.M.. Conocimiento de las prácticas de autocuidado en los pies de los individuos con diabetes mellitus atendidos en una unidad básica de salud. Enferm. glob. [online]. 2009, n.17. ISSN 1695-6141.

Diabetes Mellitus constitutes an important public health problem. Among the late complications resulting from this illness, one of the most serious is the neuropathic complication that attacks the inferior limbs. The proposed objectives were: To identify the profile of patients with Diabetes Mellitus care for in a basic health unit and to evaluate the level of knowledge of the patients with Diabetes about feet self care, aiming at the prevention of complications. This descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, was carried out with 197 patients cared for in the nursing office in a basic health unit. The results showed that most of the clients studied were females, more than 40 years old, had high blood pressure and on average had been 8 years since the diagnosis of diabetes. The patients had high glycemia, problems in their feet such as calluses and fissures, and reported having self care knowledge. In conclusion the knowledge of the characteristics of the carriers of diabetes cared for in basic health services, is of great relevance to the nurses' actions in regards to the management and control of this illness in the population.

Keywords : Diabetes Mellitus; Autocuidado; Enfermería.

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