EFFECTS OF A DIETARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA

Background: Despite the existence of numerous education programs for diabetic patients in various health centers, patients with diabetes mellitus end up having poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of a dietary educational program on the quality of life of diabetic patients. This study was carried out among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria. Methodology: Using a quasi-experimental design, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) were selected as the Control and Experimental groups respectively. At baseline, 180 patients were enrolled but at the end of the study 81 in Control Group (CG) and 81 in Experimental Group (EG) were analyzed. CG received personalized meal timetable, and 2 weekly phone call follow up while EG received Dietary education, using cooked and raw food demonstration, personalized meal timetable and 2 weekly phone call follow up. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The statistics analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 statistical software with a p-value of <0.05 regarded as significant. Result: Patients' QoL, knowledge and practice was assessed at baseline and six months (P1 & P3). The QoL was classified into "good" and "poor," At P1, EG had better QoL with (EG: 40.7%) while CG had 24%. P =0.001, Q0L at P3 (EG: 54.3%; CG: 30.9%) shows there was an improvement in both groups with p=0.001. Conclusion: Because of the educational program, the quality of life of the patients was affected positively at the end of the program. However, EG had better quality of life because of the use of food demonstration. Thus, dietary interventional program improved the quality of life of the patients.