Knowledge, attitude, and practice on dietary management among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study in Sichuan.

BACKGROUND

Appropriate dietary measures can be pivotal in ensuring optimal outcomes for individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, limited data are available regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dietary management of NAFLD. This study assessed the KAP of dietary management of NAFLD in patients diagnosed with NAFLD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Southwest China between July and November 2023. Participants diagnosed with NAFLD were enrolled using convenience sampling. The self-designed questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.896) and covered demographic characteristics and KAP of dietary management of NAFLD.

RESULTS

A total of 357 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The mean knowledge score was 19.75 ± 10.45 (possible range: 0-35), the mean attitude score was 51.21 ± 6.86 (possible range: 12-60), and the mean practice score was 6.58 ± 1.66 (possible range: 0-16, 41.13%), indicating poor knowledge, positive attitudes, and poor practice. The knowledge scores weakly correlated with attitude (r = 0.488, P < 0.001) and practice (r=-0.207, P < 0.001) scores. The attitude scores were weakly correlated with the practice scores (r=-0.305, P < 0.001). The path analysis revealed that knowledge positively influenced attitude (β = 0.33, P < 0.001), while attitude negatively influenced practice (β=-0.06, P < 0.001). However, knowledge does not directly influence practice.

CONCLUSION

Patients with NAFLD in Sichuan exhibited poor knowledge, positive attitudes, and poor practice toward dietary management of NAFLD. Educational interventions should be designed to enhance their KAP of dietary management in NAFLD.