Aim To evaluate the foot‐care educational programme for nurses and care workers at in‐home service providers. Design A non‐randomized controlled study with random cluster sampling method. Methods Study participants were nurses and care workers of 21 in‐home service providers, including home‐visit nursing and care providers, 1‐day care service centres or care centres with rehabilitation programme in Japan. Foot‐care programme with foot‐care tools as a package or standard care comprising 3–5 sessions over 2 months was provided to 110 participants (87 were on analysis). The outcomes were changes in foot‐care knowledge and scores in pre–post interventions. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, t test, logistic regression analysis and ANCOVA. Results Before adjusting for background, total scores of knowledge and practice categories were higher than the baseline in the intervention group (43 participants) compared with the control group (44 participants). After background correction due to potential bias of non‐random cluster sampling, significant between group differences were observed in mean score changes in skin and consultation subscales of the practice category.
AimThis study explored the prevalence of foot problems among older adults and the effectiveness of foot care interventions for improving toe‐gap force and foot flexibility. Foot problems are very common among people aged 65 years and older. However, the effects of foot care interventions on components underlying these issues (i.e., toe‐gap force and foot flexibility) are unclear.DesignThis was a quasi‐experimental study.MethodsEighteen older adults were divided into three groups: medical foot care intervention, combined intervention and control group. The combined intervention group received medical foot care, foot hygiene and five‐toed socks. Toe‐gap force and foot flexibility were measured.ResultsThe most common foot problems were hallux valgus, toe deformities, nail discoloration and thickness and dryness. Significant differences in right foot toe‐gap force were observed between the combined intervention and control groups. There were no significant differences in foot flexibility between groups.
Background: Foot care knowledge and practices among nurses and care workers in the community greatly impact foot health maintenance and prevention of foot-related problems among older people. This study aimed to explore and examine the current foot care knowledge, practices, and perceptions among nurses and care workers at home care and adult day service center, along with their demographic characteristics and daily care for clients. Methods: This study analyzed 232 randomly selected front-line nurses and care workers working at home care or adult day service center in one of the selected cities, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Data were obtained using questionnaires and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-square tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Spearman's rank correlation tests. Results: Among the 305 surveyed, 232 (62 nurses; 170 care workers) provided data. Although 57 nurses (91.9%) and 142 care workers (83.5%) showed interest in foot care, 33 nurses (53.2%) and 133 care workers (78.2%) stated that foot care education was insufficient. Knowledge and practice scores were associated with working status. Higher accuracy differences in the early detection of foot problems and skin tears on lower limbs in knowledge category were observed between nurses and care workers. The nurses as well as the care workers had low accuracy rates of knowledge questions regarding the use of shoes and socks subscale. For practice, both nurses and care workers had low mean scores for checking client's shoes (2.0/5.0 and 2.1/5.0, respectively), method for reducing ingrown nail pain (2.6/5.0 and 1.9/5.0, respectively), and opportunity for discussing foot care with others (2.7/5.0 and 2.2/5.0, respectively). A significant correlation between knowledge and practice scores was observed among nurses (0.331, p < 0.05) and care workers (0.339, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite the presence of several barriers toward enhanced care delivery to clients needing it most, nurses and care workers clearly understood the importance of foot care. These findings indicate that foot care should be focused by nurses and care workers to improve the knowledge and practice of foot care and to suggest future implications that efficient and understandable tools are needed considering their current working situation.
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