Knowledge and Awareness of Lifestyle Modifications Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global health crisis contributing significantly to both illness and mortality. The prevalence of DM in Nigeria has increased from 2.2% in 1997 to 5.77% by 2018 and 7% 2024 in Nigeria. Effective management of this condition demands not only medical interventions but also lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and physical activity. Objective: To examine knowledge and awareness levels on diet and physical activity among individuals with type 2 diabetes attending a tertiary health institution in North Central Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Jos University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria. A sample of 300 patients with T2DM was selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaires encompassing sections on participant demographics, dietary knowledge, physical activity awareness, and self-reported behaviours. Data analysis was performed using SPSS with descriptive statistics and appropriate inferential tests. Results: The study revealed that 61.8% of respondents had a good understanding of the role diet plays in managing T2DM, while 38.2% demonstrated poor understanding. Regarding physical activity, 54.8% showed good understanding, while 45.1% fell into the poor understanding category. A majority (59%) were familiar with the recommended weekly physical activity guidelines for individuals with T2DM. Educational attainment was significantly associated with both dietary knowledge and physical activity awareness. Gender was significantly associated with dietary knowledge, with women demonstrating better understanding than men. Conclusion: While the majority of T2DM patients demonstrated adequate knowledge of dietary and physical activity recommendations, a significant proportion still lack sufficient awareness. Educational attainment emerged as a key factor influencing knowledge levels. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps, particularly among patients with lower educational backgrounds and male patients.