The lived experience of patients from an ethnic group in Indonesia undergoing diabetic foot ulcer treatment.

BACKGROUND

A foot ulcer is a severe complications of diabetes, and patients' cultural backgrounds can greatly influence how they manage this condition.

AIM: To explore the experience of people of the Batak Karo ethnic group in Indonesia in diabetic foot ulcer treatment.

METHODS

This was a phenomenological study where a purposeful sample of 10 people with diabetic foot ulcers participated in in-depth interviews. Data analysis was thematic using Van Manen's hermeneutic approach.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged from the study data: beliefs about health disorders; physical, psychological, social and spiritual changes; traditional treatments; cultural beliefs; and seeking health services.

DISCUSSION: People in the Batak Karo ethnic group strongly believe in supernatural powers and magic, and take part in a variety of traditional ceremonies to treat diabetic foot ulcers. They also use traditional treatments, including herbs. Nurses treating different ethnic groups, such as the Batak Karo people, should be culturally aware and competent to provide adequate care for them.