Abstract:
Diabetes is one of the major non-communicable diseases and an important public
health problem not only in Kenya but all over the world. It is estimated that the
prevalence of diabetes in Kenya is at 5% among adults. Although the care regimen is
complex, patients with good diabetes self-care behaviors can attain excellent glycemic
control. It is vital that patients adhere to their stipulated routines to minimize the
burden of the disease on the healthcare systems. The objective of this study was to
determine the association between socio-economic and demographic factors with
adherence to dietary guidelines among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Moi
Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret. A cross-sectional study with mixed
methods was conducted among 313 Type 2 DM patients at MTRH. Systematic random
sampling was used to select the participants, while purposive sampling was used to
select 6 key informants and 50 patients who participated in a Focus Group Discussion
(FGD). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Adherence to
dietary guidelines was significantly associated with income (p< 0.001) and the
frequency of attending clinics (p=0.001). Education levels (p= 0.634), Occupation
(p=0.358) and Age (p=0.737) had no significant association with dietary adherence.
Better ways should be explored in enhancing adherence to dietary guidelines for Type 2
DM patients with high income levels. The study findings are useful in informing
implementation and evaluation of nutrition strategies for the control and management
of Type 2 DM. This includes nutrition counseling and education, which would inform
decisions leading to optimal quality care and cost-effectiveness in the management of
Type 2DM.