Knowledge, Attitude and Adherence to Dietary Regimen among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus as Measure for Glycemic Control

Abstract

Background/Objective: Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of glucose in the blood that has attracted global health concern due to its high rate of incidence, health complications and risk factors. Diabetic patients frequently face difficulty in identifying and adhering to dietary regimen, including its quality and quantity. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude to dietary regimen among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as measure for glycemic control in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge on dietary regimen, attitude to dietary regimen, adherence to dietary regimen, and the measure to improve knowledge, attitude and adherence to dietary regimen among diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Convenience sampling technique and a sample size of 150 was used. Self-developed questionnaire was administered. Data was collected, analyzed and presented in tables. Frequency count, percentages, average mean and odd ratio probability test was used as method for statistical analysis. Results and Conclusion: Findings from the study revealed knowledge on dietary regimen for diabetes among diabetic patients centered on diet specifications (80%), and that sugar should be completely avoided (74.6%). Meanwhile, based on attitude to dietary regimen among diabetic patients, majority of the respondents accepted that keeping to dietary regimen for managing diabetes difficult (61.3%). Our study therefore revealed that diabetic patients often find difficulty in adhering to the prescribed regimen not undermining that there is high knowledge base on dietary regimen. The accepted causes of non-adherence to dietary regimen among diabetic patients included; ignorance, lack of family support, finance, not being able to eat other food, and too many instructions to follow. Hence, it is important that the identified measures to promote positive attitude to dietary regimen among diabetic patients such as; family and group support, mass campaign and sensitization, and enlightenment programs be adopted to enhance management outcomes.