Abstract

Background: Diabetic Mellitus (DM) is the leading endocrine disorder worldwide. Its severity depends on the practice of dietary therapy. Healthy eating is an important standard in diabetic nutritional management.

Aim: To assess the knowledge, practice, and its associated factors of Type 2 DM (T2DM) patients towards dietary therapy in the University of Gondar Specialized Comprehensive Hospital Diabetic Care Clinic.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 28 to June 9, 2017. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the knowledge and practice of diabetic patients towards dietary therapy. P-values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results: A total of 422 participants were enrolled with a response rate of 410 (96.8%). The prevalence of good knowledge and good practice of T2DM patients towards dietary therapy were 46.8% and 40.7% respectively. Urban dwellers [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.5, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.9] and attending formal education [AOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5] were factors associated with good knowledge of dietary therapy. Participants who had formal education [AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.6, 4.0], had adequate dietary therapy information [AOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.9], and good knowledge of dietary therapy [AOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.5] were more likely to have good practice towards dietary therapy.

Conclusions: The prevalence of good knowledge and good practice of T2DM patients towards dietary therapy were found to be low. Being an urban dweller and having some form of formal education were factors associated with good knowledge regarding recommended dietary therapy. Similarly, attaining formal education, having adequate dietary therapy information, and good knowledge of dietary therapy was positively associated with good dietary therapy practice

Keywords: Dietary Therapy; Knowledge; Practice; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Ethiopia