Prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to diet modification and follow up clinic visits, among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary hospital in Enugu

The study examined the prevalence of non adherence to diet modification, follow up clinic visits and the associated factors among type 2 diabetic adults at a tertiary hospital in Enugu State Nigeria. This descriptive cross-sectional study purposively enlisted 200 respondents who met the inclusion criteria. Data was collected using validated Researcher- developed questionnaire. Analysis used proportions and percentages for descriptive statistics and logistic regression for inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Respondents’ mean age was 60.1±10.6, 29% of the respondents ate less than 3 meals and without in between meal snacks in a given day while 63.5% ate irregularly. 24 hours dietary consumption recall showed that respondents selected food from all classes of food when planning their daily menu using locally available foods. 49.0% missed their clinic visits. Age was associated with non adherence to diet modification. Diabetics ≤ 50 years (p 0.046) were more non adherent than those ≥50years. Non adherence to diet was more among the married (87.4%), employed (67.7%) and those who have had diabetes for ˂4years (65.4%). Cost of transportation (p 0.000), discouraging attitudes of health workers (p 0.003) and late commencement of clinics (p 0.006) were associated with non adherence to follow-up clinic attendance. Screening patients for non adherence, improved time management, communication and patient- provider relationship may help achieve better client satisfaction with services.