Association between risk perception and lifestyle modification practices among patients with diabetes mellitus attending the chronic follow-up clinic at Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, Ethiopia, 2023

BACKGROUND: The association between risk Perception of Diabetes mellitus complications and lifestyle modification is an important issue in diabetes prevention and control. Also, an individual's ability to practice lifestyle change by adhering to medication, exercise, and dietary requirements has reduced complications and deaths. However, many of the studies on diabetes in this study area from our review have often concentrated on the epidemiological aspect of the condition, with little on the relation between risk perception and lifestyle modification practices. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between the risk perception and lifestyle modification practice among Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus patients in Mizan-Tepi Teaching Hospital. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 436 registered diabetic patients were included and studied during the period from April 1, 2023, to May 30, 2023. Data on participants were gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive Statistical analysis, such as mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, was done. The relation between Risk perception and lifestyle modification was analyzed using Pearson's χ2 statistics (p-value < 0.05, 95%CI), and the effect size was measured by Phi to measure the strength of association. RESULT: The study revealed that only half of the participants were perceived as potentially at risk for DM complications by the patient, and 63% of the respondents who practiced good lifestyle modification had a significant positive relationship in that good risk perception regarding the DM and its complications (Pearson's χ2 = 80.07914, p-value 0.0001), with a moderate association (0.44Phi-coefficient). About 48.8% with 95% CI (44.2, 53.1) and 42.4% with 95% CI (38.2, 47.5) respondents have good lifestyle modification actions of the practice and good risk perceptions for DM, respectively. Similarly, 41.7% with 95% CI (36.6, 47.2) of the respondents thought that alcohol drinking could not increase the risk of DM and its complications. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Good risk perception and good lifestyle modification practices have a positive association with preventing complications. Creating awareness of the risk factors, perception, and related or potential complications among DM patients may help strengthen adherence to recommended lifestyle modification practices.