Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China
Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs] are severe complications of diabetes, and therapeutic footwear plays a crucial role in their prevention. However the factors influencing adherence to therapeutic among high-risk individuals in urban areas remain poorly understood. With increasing urbanization and...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06323-z |
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| author | Wangqiao Zhu Liuxue Lu Lifang Huang Sulan Long Lina Ou Meng Yang Yongxian Wei Yanfang Lu Yunjiao Tang Jia Liu |
| author_facet | Wangqiao Zhu Liuxue Lu Lifang Huang Sulan Long Lina Ou Meng Yang Yongxian Wei Yanfang Lu Yunjiao Tang Jia Liu |
| author_sort | Wangqiao Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs] are severe complications of diabetes, and therapeutic footwear plays a crucial role in their prevention. However the factors influencing adherence to therapeutic among high-risk individuals in urban areas remain poorly understood. With increasing urbanization and migrant workers, this study aims to explore the challenges of adherence to therapeutic footwear among high-risk diabetic foot patients in urban area. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, and analyzed using a thematic approach. A total of 25 participants (20 patients and 5 healthcare providers) were recruited through purposive sampling. Two key challenges of footwear adherence were identified: (1) inadequacy of consistent and reliable health resources, and (2) appearance-related barriers to footwear adherence: professionalism, fashion, and social perception. Participants reported inconsistent and unreliable health information, including confusion from online sources and varied hospital guidance, which reduced their confidence in wearing therapeutic footwear. Additionally, appearance-related barriers—such as workplace dress codes, fashion preferences, and fear of social judgment—discouraged use of therapeutic footwear in both professional and social settings. This study highlights the need to integrate social and functional elements into the design of therapeutic footwear. Nursing professionals play a critical role in enhancing communication and coordination around foot care. Enhancing access to reliable health information is essential for promoting DFU prevention, particularly among urban migrant populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e10670c76682485dbe929c1a06b00b3b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-e10670c76682485dbe929c1a06b00b3b2025-08-20T03:45:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-06323-zAdherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest ChinaWangqiao Zhu0Liuxue Lu1Lifang Huang2Sulan Long3Lina Ou4Meng Yang5Yongxian Wei6Yanfang Lu7Yunjiao Tang8Jia Liu9Faculty of Nursing, Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesFaculty of nursing, Nanchang Medical CollegeAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaise People’s HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesAffiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesFaculty of Nursing, Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesAbstract Diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs] are severe complications of diabetes, and therapeutic footwear plays a crucial role in their prevention. However the factors influencing adherence to therapeutic among high-risk individuals in urban areas remain poorly understood. With increasing urbanization and migrant workers, this study aims to explore the challenges of adherence to therapeutic footwear among high-risk diabetic foot patients in urban area. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, and analyzed using a thematic approach. A total of 25 participants (20 patients and 5 healthcare providers) were recruited through purposive sampling. Two key challenges of footwear adherence were identified: (1) inadequacy of consistent and reliable health resources, and (2) appearance-related barriers to footwear adherence: professionalism, fashion, and social perception. Participants reported inconsistent and unreliable health information, including confusion from online sources and varied hospital guidance, which reduced their confidence in wearing therapeutic footwear. Additionally, appearance-related barriers—such as workplace dress codes, fashion preferences, and fear of social judgment—discouraged use of therapeutic footwear in both professional and social settings. This study highlights the need to integrate social and functional elements into the design of therapeutic footwear. Nursing professionals play a critical role in enhancing communication and coordination around foot care. Enhancing access to reliable health information is essential for promoting DFU prevention, particularly among urban migrant populations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06323-zDiabetesInformationTherapeutic footwearUrbanChina |
| spellingShingle | Wangqiao Zhu Liuxue Lu Lifang Huang Sulan Long Lina Ou Meng Yang Yongxian Wei Yanfang Lu Yunjiao Tang Jia Liu Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China Scientific Reports Diabetes Information Therapeutic footwear Urban China |
| title | Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China |
| title_full | Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China |
| title_fullStr | Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China |
| title_short | Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China |
| title_sort | adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban southwest china |
| topic | Diabetes Information Therapeutic footwear Urban China |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06323-z |
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