Risk practices for foot complications in people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: To learn about the risk practices for foot complications among patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the role of nursing in promoting self-care, in light of Dorothea Orem.

Method: Qualitative study, anchored in the methodological framework of Thematic Oral History. It was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 39 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Arapiraca/AL, from August to September 2023. The interviews were transcribed, textualized and transcreated, based on the methodological framework.

Results: Participants presented risk practices for foot complications due to inadequate footwear, foot warmers, use of instruments on the feet, inadequate nail trimming and walking barefoot. Nursing, from Dorothea Orem's perspective, is essential for user self-care because it provides guidance that prevents or mitigates risk practices for foot complications.

Conclusion: Lack of adherence to self-care practices has a multifactorial etiology and results in a risk of foot injuries. It was demonstrated that Orem's theory serves as a guide for nursing actions, aiming at care and educational practices to mitigate these risks.