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Effect of nutrition education on serological variables of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Clinic Warri, Delta State Nigeria
Abstract
Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus around the world appears as dramatic as to have been characterized as an epidemic. Diabetes mellitus causes prolonged ill-health, imposes morbidity and mortality risks, and necessitates a change in lifestyle, with a meticulous daily routine and long-term self-care.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of nutrition education on serological variables of the type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Methodology: Two Hundred and Thirty (230) out of 258 subjects who participated in the longitudinal study were confirmed Type 2 diabetics. One hundred and Fifty (150) subjects were grouped into education group and Eighty (80) subjects into control group. Information on socio-demographic, life-style characteristics, and management regimens of the diabetes were collected using structured, validated and pretested questionnaire. Subject’s serological variables such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), 2-hours post prandial and fasting lipid profile were collected. Nutrition education was instituted and was performed in a group of 15 patients per session in 2 hours.
Results: Most of the subjects (70.0%) in the education group at baseline had elevated HbA1c with a mean baseline HbA1c level of 8.08+1.88%. While most of the subjects (65.00%) in the control group at baseline had normal HbA1c with a mean baseline glycated hemoglobin level of 7.01+1.86%. However, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean and percentage number of HbA1c of the subjects in education and control group. Only 6.7% of the subjects had low Fasting Blood Glucose (<4.2mmol/l), 58.0% had high Fasting Blood Glucose (>7.0mmol/l) and 35.3% had normal Fasting Blood Glucose (4.2-5.9mmol/l). After three months follow up, the number of subjects who had normal FBG increased from 35.3% to 54.7%, the low FBG levels increased from 6.5% to 10.0% but high Fasting Blood Glucose levels reduced from 58.0% to 35.3%.
Conclusion: There was significant reduction in the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) of the subjects after nutrition education and follow up, indicating that nutrition education and follow up has positive impact the serological variables of the subjects who are diabetics.