Effectiveness Of Dietary Counselling In The Management Of Diabetes Mellitus In Enugu And Anambra States Of Nigeria.

 ABSTRACT

This research work examined the effectiveness of dietary counseling in the management of diabetes mellitus in Enugu and Anambra state of Nigeria. Data were collected from a two hundred randomly selected individuals through structured, validated and pretested questionnaire. Information was collected from literature review on causes, metabolism, symptoms, complications, dietary management, while information on the socioeconomic status, knowledge of the patient was collected through the structured questionnaire. The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between the educational status, occupation and number of times the patients go for dietary counselling. Most of the respondents (73%) did not have a good knowledge of the causes of diabetes mellitus. Many of the respondents went for dietary counselling but they did not adhere to the diets recommended . This could be because they did not understand the diets and also because they resented to drastic changes in their living habits, They also said that the diet were restrictive and limiting. Patients are advised to go for dietary counselling at least once a week, intensive nutrition education should be carried out to improve awareness