Objective To explore the effect of knowledge , attitude, belief, and practice ( KABP ) model on self-care skills among elder patients with diabetic foot .Methods Seventy-seven elder patients were divided into the intervention group ( n=38 ) and control group ( n=39 ) .The KABP model was used in the intervention group , and the traditional teaching method was used in the control group .The patients were investigated with diabetic foot self-carequestionnaire and diabetic footself-efficacyscale ( DSES ) when they admitted into the hospital and after the intervention .Results The total score of self-care and DSES between the groups had no significant difference ( P >0.05 ).After 3months intervention, the self-care score of the intervention group and the control group were (67.63 ±15.23) and (50.65 ±21.03).The DSES score of the intervention group and the control group were (121.06 ±26.70) and (104.15 ±21.13).There were significant differences between groups (t =18.298,18.016, respectively;P <0.01).The self-care and DSES score compared before and after the intervention had significant differences ( P <0.01).Conclusions Health education using the KAP model can efficiently enhance their self-care skills and diabetic foot self-efficacy.