<p>Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Lifestyle Modification Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest, Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background: Diabetes, which is a non-communicable metabolic disease, imposes several complications and death worldwide. Strict lifestyle modification can prevent the progression of complications associated with diabetes. There is much evidence to show that following a healthy lifestyle such as healthy diet, moderate weight loss, and doing regular exercise can maintain normal blood glucose levels and minimize diabetes-related complications. Moreover, this lifestyle modification has a great impact on the control of hyperglycemia. Good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice towards lifestyle modification can help to maintain a normal blood glucose level. Objective: The aim was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards lifestyle modification of diabetes patients attending the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based crossectional study was conducted among diabetes patients attending chronic follow-up clinic from November 15, 2019 to December 15, 2019. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the statistical package for social science version 20. Descriptive statistics were computed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of diabetes patients toward lifestyle modification. Results: A total of 422 participants took part in this study with a response rate of 100%. In this study, 248 (59%) were knowledgeable, 223 (53%) had a positive attitude, and 172 (41%) had good practice, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the knowledge and attitude toward lifestyle modification were found to be good. However, the result of practice of lifestyle modification was low. Recommendation: Education about the disease condition and lifestyle modification (importance of physical exercise, weight loss, foot care, cessation of smoking, healthy dietary habit) to general society ought to be implemented by the responsible body.

Dietary practice and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Gambella region hospitals, Ethiopia

“…Six items were used to assess knowledge about dietary practices: the number of fruits and vegetables consumed per day, oils to avoid, foods to limit, identifying healthy oils, the number of regular meals diabetic patients consume per day and the number of snacks consumed per day. The median was used to identify the patients as having good or poor knowledge of dietary practice (Muhammad et al , 2021; Mekonnen et al , 2020; Sami et al , 2020). Those who scored above the median were classified as having good knowledge, and those who scored below the median as having poor knowledge.…”

“…Physical activity was measured by asking participants, and a patient was considered to be physically active if he or she exercised for an average of 30 minutes a day which covers a minimum of 3 days a week (Mekonnen et al , 2020). Dietary practice was assessed using the modified form of the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (using the 11-item scale (Demilew et al , 2018; Berhe et al , 2012; Morisky and DiMatteo, 2011).…”

“…A study by Nkosi et al reveals knowledge as a silent factor related to dietary management (Nkosi and Wright, 2010). Furthermore, patients’ awareness of a suggested diet reflects their comprehension of dietary recommendations, which influenced their food choices and eating habits (Muhammad et al , 2021; Worsa et al , 2021; Mekonnen et al , 2020).…”

“…In addition, diabetes has remained a major cause of death, and its burden is increasing in developing countries, including Ethiopia (Mohan and Deepa, 2006). Different studies conducted in Ethiopia also revealed that the level of diabetic dietary practice was still insufficient among diabetic patients (Demilew et al , 2018; Shikur et al , 2016; Mekonnen et al , 2020). However, in Ethiopia, there is still a lack of data on the magnitude of appropriate dietary practices of diabetic patients, as well as insufficient routine health information.…”

Psychosocial barriers to well‐being and quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana

“…Lifestyle modification, though beneficial to the treatment of type 2 diabetes, may be difficult to achieve. Even when knowledge and attitude toward lifestyle modification have been found to be good, practicing these lifestyle modifications has been poor 8 . Diabetes self‐management can therefore prove challenging and frustrating for both patients and practitioners 3,9–11 .…”