Dietary Knowledge and Practices among Type 2 Diabetes Patients Attending at Al-Thawra Hospital, Sana'a City-Yemen.

Background: Nutritional knowledge and practices play a vital role in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in low-resource settings like Yemen. This study aimed to assess dietary knowledge and practices among T2DM patients attending Al-Thawra Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to February 2024, involving 188 T2DM patients selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected via a validated questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, medical history, dietary knowledge, and practices. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of patients were female (60.6%) and aged between 40–60 years. While 89.9% recognized that high sugar intake is harmful, only 48.4% knew the importance of fiber, and just 13.8% identified the risks of high-fat foods. Regarding practices, 71.3% consumed vegetables regularly, yet only 25% engaged in physical activity. A high proportion (59.6%) used saturated fats for cooking. Educational level and income were significantly associated with better knowledge and practices (p<0.05). Conclusion: Significant gaps exist in dietary knowledge and practices among T2DM patients. Targeted health education is essential to promote balanced diets, healthier cooking oils, and regular physical activity, especially among less educated and lower-income groups.