Autocuidado del pie diabético en pacientes atendidos en la sala de curaciones de cirugía general en la consulta externa del Hospital de Especialidades Teodoro Maldonado Carbo.

Abstract

Self -care of the diabetic foot is key in the management of diabetes, as it prevents complications such as ulcers, infections or amputations. Although its practice reduces morbidity and mortality, behavioral factors, knowledge and resources can limit it. Objective: Determine the self -care of the diabetic foot in patients attended in the external consultation of a Hospital in Guayaquil during the months of June and July 2025. Methodological design: study with quantitative, descriptive, prospective and cross -section approach. Population and sample: 154 patients with diabetic foot attended in external consultation. Technique: Survey. Instrument: Questionnaire based on the "Functional Care Evaluation of the feet". Results: The age group from 56 to 60 years (37%), male sex (58%), married civil status (46%) and primary educational level (42%), predominated. In hygiene practices: wash your feet once a day (52%), dry your feet after washing (46%), cut your nails weekly (44%), and check your feet once a week (40%). In costumes and footwear: use sandals most of the time (42%), sneakers (40%), but indicates that you never wear shoes without socks (44%) and wear shoes with laces (34%). In preventive behaviors, it never walks barefoot outdoors (52%) and covers scrapers or cuts with dry dressing (48%), although a part walks barefoot at home (30%) and uses remedies for calluses (38%). Conclusion: Self -care of the diabetic foot has partial compliance, with preventive and protection practices applied irregularly and barriers that increase vulnerability to complications.