Dietary compliance and its determinants among type 2 diabetes patients in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is currently high and still rising, predominantly in developing countries including Ghana. Type 2 diabetes patients' adherence to recommended diet is shown to improve their health outcomes. This study investigated dietary compliance and its determinants among type 2 diabetes patients in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.

This study employed analytical cross-sectional study design and involved 343 participants selected through systematic random sampling from the outpatient diabetes clinics of Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale West Hospital and Tamale Central Hospital. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to document participants' socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. The modified Morisky dietary adherence scale was used to assess dietary compliance. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of dietary compliance.

The mean age of participants was 56.4 ± 15.7 years. More than half of the participants (62.4%) were females. The participants had a higher compliance status (70.6%). The study also revealed that, as a patient's age increases, compliance decreases [Adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 0.96, 95%, Confidence interval (CI) 0.94-0.99, P = 0.002]. Regarding educational status, patients who completed JHS/Middle School [AOR: 2.458, 95% CI 1.019-5.928, P = 0.045] and SHS/Vocational School [AOR: 2.73, 95% CI 1.08-6.91, P = 0.035] were more likely to comply with dietary recommendations compared to those with no formal education.

The rate of dietary compliance was high among the study participants. Age and educational status of participants significantly influenced their dietary compliance, suggesting that these factors should be taken into account when developing strategies to enhance dietary adherence.