The Relationship Between Knowledge Of Therapeutic Diets And Dietary Adherence Among Cardiac Patients In The Inpatient Ward Of Sibuhuan Regional General Hospital

Heart disease requires therapeutic dietary management to control risk factors and prevent complications. Dietary compliance is greatly influenced by the patient’s level of knowledge regarding the importance of dietary management. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge about therapeutic diets and dietary compliance among heart patients in the inpatient ward of Sibuhuan Regional General Hospital. The study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample of 30 heart patients selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire to measure the level of knowledge and dietary compliance. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. The results showed that the majority of respondents were female (70%), aged 41–60 years and over 60 years (43.3% each), had a secondary school education (36.7%), and had been on the diet for less than one year (53.3%). The majority had a good level of knowledge (63.3%), whilst the majority were compliant (76.7%). Bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test yielded a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant association between the level of knowledge regarding therapeutic diets and dietary compliance. Respondents with good knowledge were all compliant with the diet (63.3%), whilst respondents with poor knowledge were more likely to be non-compliant (13.4%). The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant association between the level of knowledge regarding therapeutic diets and dietary compliance in heart patients. Patients with good knowledge