Knowledge and attitude to dietary regimen among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: implication for glycemic control.

Objective: 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 in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, as implication for glycemic control. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the knowledge on dietary regimen, assess the attitude to dietary regimen among diabetic patients, and determine the relationship between the knowledge and attitude to dietary regimen among diabetic patients.

Methods: Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Convenience sampling technique and a sample size of 150 were used. Self-developed questionnaire was administered. Data was collected, analyzed, and presented in tables.

Results: Findings from the study shows that 80% of the respondents have knowledge on adherence to dietary regimen while 61.3% of the respondents finds keeping to dietary regimen for managing diabetes difficult. Meanwhile, highest responses were attributed to family support, this was followed by support group and enlightenment programs, while the least measure was found in mass campaign.

Conclusions: It therefore shows that although there is high knowledge base on dietary regimen, diabetic patients often find difficulty in adhering to the prescribed regimen. Hence, it is important that measures to promote positive attitude to dietary regimen among diabetic patients be devised to enhance management outcomes.