Dietary Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, and Perceived Dietary Barriers of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Khartoum, Sudan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In Sudan, the prevalence of diabetes was 18.9% in 2021. Diet is the cornerstone of diabetes management. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dietary knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Khartoum state, Sudan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from August 2022 to October 2022 among 365 diabetes patients recruited from four health centers in Khartoum state. A validated questionnaire was used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify variables that affect the dietary KAP of diabetes patients.

RESULTS

The majority of participants had good knowledge (99%), and a positive attitude (99.5%), but poor practice (80%). Female gender, coming from a primary health care center, and practice of physical activity were significantly associated with better practice scores. Cost and difficulty maintaining healthy dietary habits at social events were the major barriers to following dietary recommendations.

CONCLUSION

The good knowledge and the positive attitude were not reflected in practice. This is contrary to the international dietary recommendations and reveals hindrances that prevent participants from applying what they know, and what they believe. Therefore, focusing on solving economic difficulties together with the other major barriers should be the attention focus of health care providers in order for the education programs to be effective.