Social representations of diabetic foot for people with type 2 diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This is a qualitative study with the purpose to understand the social representations of the diabetic foot for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Semi-structured interviews were held with ten people with diabetes mellitus, who participated in a support group. Two categories emerged from the content analysis: the foot disease with perceived alterations and present threats, and feet care, with care as a concern with the future, and non-care as a feeling of guilt. The results show that the subjects seek hopes of not developing foot disease or controlling the situation, influenced by the representations of alterations and threats. When non-care occurs, the feeling of guilt emerges, since the subjects knew about the necessary care but did not use it. The social representations contributed in the search for comprehension of how the subjects with diabetes mellitus build the knowledge that that express their identity and guide their behavior, especially regarding the diabetic foot.