Towards Equitable Health Care Access: Community Participatory Research Exploring Unmet Health Care Needs of Homeless Individuals.
Melba Sheila D'Souza, Noeman Ahmad Mirza
PMID 34387510WHAT IT FOUND
Homeless individuals in small cities described avoiding care due to shame over foot odor and frostbite, relying on self-management like soaking feet in park water or wearing multiple socks.
They faced stigma and long waits, while providers noted a critical lack of dedicated foot care services.
Key findings
01Participants avoided seeking care due to embarrassment about foot odor, frostbite, and 'street feet', often managing conditions themselves by drying shoes in rivers or using baby powder.
02Community service providers reported that homeless individuals have minimal access to specialized foot care, with only 7.69% of participants reporting access to foot care clinics compared to higher rates for emergency services.
03Lack of proper footwear and prolonged walking were primary contributors to deteriorating foot health, with participants noting they could not remove shoes due to theft or lack of alternatives.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used a small sample size. It did not address the specific systemic issues impacting Indigenous homeless individuals. The study did not focus on psychosocial, emotional, or mental health experiences. Data were collected in one small city in British Columbia, limiting generalizability to other regions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The work was supported by a grant from Thompson Rivers University.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the low reported access to foot care clinics as a lack of available services in all contexts. This study reflects a specific small-city setting in British Columbia where specialized services were under-resourced, unlike larger urban centers.