Background and Objectives Foot problems are a growing concern for older adults, frequently remaining undiagnosed and untreated, which can lead to significant complications. To address this, the present study aims to determine the predictive factors influencing foot and nail care behaviors among the elderly population in Ahvaz, utilizing the Health Belief Model.
Subjects and Methods A descriptive-analytical study was conducted utilizing a convenience sampling method to gather data from 200 elderly individuals (over the age of 60) residing in the city of Ahvaz. The instruments for data collection included a demographic questionnaire and measures of the Health Belief Model constructs. Statistical analyses, specifically one-way ANOVA, independent t-tests, and linear regression, were performed using SPSS version 16.
Results This study examined demographic variables such as age, gender, body mass index, occupation, lifestyle, education level, marital status, history of foot and nail diseases, history of falls, and daily walking. The participants were elderly individuals with a mean age of 67.6 ± 1.7 years. Of these, 52% were male, and 13.5% were single. The majority (76.5%) had an elementary education, and 39.5% were retired. A significant proportion of the participants had a history of foot and nail diseases (85%) and falls (33%). The most common foot and nail care practices were washing with warm water (68.5%) and daily washing with soap and water (57%). However, daily foot massage was infrequent (30.5%). Consequently, the overall level of foot and nail care among the elderly was assessed as suboptimal. Importantly, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, severity, and susceptibility were identified as key predictors of these behaviors (p < 0.05). Furthermore, factors such as age, education level, marital status, history of foot and nail diseases, history of falls, and engagement in daily walking demonstrated a significant association with foot and nail care behaviors (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Based on the compelling evidence from this study, which highlights the significant predictive power of the Health Belief Model's constructs—including self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility—on foot and nail care behaviors in older adults, we strongly recommend leveraging this model in the design and implementation of tailored educational interventions. Such interventions hold the promise of fostering improved foot care practices within this population. Furthermore, given the study's demonstration of a significant association between demographic variables such as age, education level, marital status, and a history of foot and nail diseases, and the performance of these essential behaviors, it appears crucial to integrate these factors into health and educational planning initiatives. These findings offer valuable insights that can empower policymakers and health professionals to develop more effective and targeted strategies aimed at promoting optimal foot health among the elderly.