Association between Nutritional Knowledge and Dietary Compliance among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients at the Bono Regional Hospital, Sunyani, Ghana

Diet therapy and self-care form an integral component of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, however, little is known about the nutritional knowledge and dietary habit of T2DM patients accessing healthcare at the Bono Regional Hospital in Ghana. This study sought to fill the existing knowledge gap which is critical to addressing the challenges associated with the management of T2DM. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Bono Regional Hospital, Sunyani, Ghana. T2DM clients were recruited using systematic sampling. Semi-structured, interview-administered questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. The primary data for the study were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Based on our specified criteria, the majority of respondents (52.1%) demonstrated good nutritional knowledge, however, only 39.3% of them showed good dietary compliance. A Pearson’s chi-square test (with Yates’ Continuity Correction) showed a statistically significant association between nutritional knowledge and overall dietary compliance, χ2 (1, n = 140) = 10.23, P = .001, phi = .27. Also, nutritional knowledge was associated with consumption of complex carbohydrates χ2 (1, n = 140) = 7.43, P = .009, phi = -.23, low-fat diet χ2 (1, n = 140) = 8.51, P = .005, phi = -.274, and controlled portions of proteins χ2 (1, n = 140) = 10.67, P = .002, phi = .24. Comprehensive nutritional education, tailored to patients’ needs, and socio-cultural and economic situations could help to promote adherence to dietary recommendations among T2DM patients accessing healthcare at the Bono Regional Hospital.