Effect of education on nutrition and diabetes status in type 2 diabetics in El Jadida province of Morocco

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is placed throughout the world at the forefront of health concerns because of the complications it causes and their adverse repercussions on health and economy. In Morocco, it is increasingly high and 90% of the diabetics have type II Diabetes. This disease may be preventable by the change of life style in diabetics and in populations at-risk. Education is reported to have positive impact on health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an education program on the improvement of diabetes care in Moroccan diabetic adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 240 type II diabetic patients; 20–65 years old, visiting the Azemmour hospital between January 2011 and March 2012 are divided in two groups: an educated group (EG) that received and a non-educated group (NEG) that did not receive any training on diabetes and improvement of diabetes care. Data on anthropometrical measurements, biochemical, socio-demographics and food consumption using 24 h dietary recall were collected in both groups. RESULTS: The results show that HbAc1 was significantly higher in NEG than in the EG group (9.24% vs. 7.15% respectively). Globally 57.5% of diabetics cannot balance their diabetes; with high percentage among NEG (76.6%) than EG (23.4%) and in rural (78.4%) than in urban populations. Compared to the EG, the NEG patients have higher prevalence of physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, low HDL, high LDL, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, higher BMI mean (29.56 vs 26.48 kg/m 2 ) and longer duration of diabetes (9,13 vs 8,17 years respectively). Total food energy intake (TEI) was also higher (2411 ± 196) in the NEG than in EG (1966 ± 221 Kcal). The contributions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids to the TEI were respectively (37.39 ± 4.48%), (22.88% ± 3.24) and (39.37 ± 4.43%); with a low intake of fiber (16.84 ± 3.55) in NEG. CONCLUSION: The study results show an improvement of diabetes status in the educated patients. The data justify the fundamental role of patient education for an effective and efficient management of diabetes. The study recommends also an establishment of and access to care facilities especially for rural population of diabetic patients.