Sorting his statements by HBM construct
The Health Belief Model (HBM) explains health behavior through several beliefs: perceived susceptibility ("could this happen to me?"), perceived severity ("how serious would it be?"), perceived benefits ("would the action help?"), perceived barriers ("what stops me?"), along with cues to action and self-efficacy. This man agrees that a foot wound can lead to amputation, so perceived severity is present. He agrees that daily foot checks catch wounds early, so perceived benefits are present. He names no cost, pain, time, or other obstacle, so no barrier is identified. His statement "That only happens to farmers who walk barefoot... I always wear slippers" shows he does not believe the complication could happen to him. This is low perceived susceptibility, and it is the belief that most needs to be addressed.
Why susceptibility matters here
In the HBM, a person is more likely to act when he believes he is at risk and that the consequences are serious. Accepting severity and benefits is not enough if he places himself outside the risk group. His reasoning also contains a misconception: in diabetes, peripheral neuropathy reduces sensation in the feet, so injuries from footwear, heat, or small objects can go unnoticed even when shoes or slippers are worn. Poor circulation then slows healing. Slippers protect the soles from some injuries but do not remove his risk.
| HBM construct | His statement | Status |
|---|
| Perceived severity | Agrees a wound can lead to amputation | Present |
| Perceived benefits | Agrees daily checks catch wounds early | Present |
| Perceived barriers | Names no obstacle | Not identified |
| Perceived susceptibility | "That only happens to farmers... I always wear slippers" | Low |
Why the other options are not the priority
Addressing severity would repeat what he already accepts. Addressing benefits would also repeat an accepted belief. Addressing barriers is premature when he has not named any. Watch out! Statements of the form "that only happens to other people" or "I am not the type to get that" are classic signs of low perceived susceptibility.
How the nurse personalizes risk
The nurse should help him see that his own diabetes, not his work or footwear, creates the risk. She can test foot sensation with a monofilament and show him the result, explain how nerve damage allows painless injuries, and point out pressure areas from his slippers. In a group session with older participants, using his own findings and simple examples makes the risk concrete. Teaching him daily foot inspection, proper footwear that covers and protects the foot, and when to report a wound then builds on the benefits he already accepts.