Interview questionnaire for T2DM patients.

Background Diabetic Foot Ulceration (DFU) is one of the serious complications for people with diabetes and it is also the most devastating but yet preventable complication. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients on their foot complications and foot care practices in Fiji. Methods A qualitative study design was used to recruit T2DM patients attending Diabetic clinic in Rotuma Hospital, Fiji from July to September, 2021. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 27 patients until data saturation is happened. Semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded were used to collect data which was then transcribed and manually analyzed using thematic analysis method. Results This study found four main themes namely Knowledge and its determinants, Perceptions on personal practice and health care practice, Health seeking behaviors and Factors affecting footwear practices. T2DM patients had varying levels of knowledge about DFU and these levels of knowledge were attributed to lack of advice from healthcare providers, personal beliefs, culture and societal norms and lack of resources. Patients continued to practice self-care practices that they perceived to protect their feet from trauma and such practices have been passed down through a traditional knowledge system including stigma and beliefs. Culture and personal habits greatly impacted the practice of wearing footwear. Societal norms and traditions greatly impact how T2DM patients take care of their feet and their health in general. Conclusion Understanding personal beliefs and traditional influences surrounding the patients’ environment is paramount in order to effectively implement public health prevention strategies against DFU.背景 糖尿病足溃疡（Diabetic Foot Ulceration, DFU）是糖尿病患者面临的严重并发症之一，亦是最具破坏性却可预防的并发症。本研究旨在探讨斐济境内2型糖尿病（Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, T2DM）患者对其足部并发症及足部护理行为的认知情况。 方法 本研究采用质性研究设计，于2021年7月至9月间，在斐济罗图马医院糖尿病门诊招募2型糖尿病患者。研究采用目的抽样法招募受试者，直至达到数据饱和，最终共纳入27名患者。数据收集采用半结构化一对一深度访谈形式，访谈内容进行录音，随后转录为文字，并通过主题分析法开展人工编码分析。 结果 本研究共提炼出四大核心主题，分别为：知识及其影响因素、对个人护理行为与医疗护理行为的认知、就医行为，以及影响足部穿戴行为的因素。2型糖尿病患者对DFU的认知水平存在显著差异，此类认知差异可归因于医疗服务提供者未提供相关指导、个人信念、文化与社会规范及资源匮乏等因素。患者仍在践行自认为可保护足部免受创伤的自我护理行为，此类行为通过传统知识体系传承，其中包含污名观念与相关信念。文化与个人习惯对足部穿戴行为的影响极为显著。社会规范与传统习俗整体上极大地影响了2型糖尿病患者的足部护理及整体健康状况。 结论 若要有效落实针对DFU的公共卫生预防策略，深入了解患者所处环境中的个人信念与传统影响因素至关重要。