Assessing knowledge, attitude and practice to lifestyle modifications in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients’ with moderate to high risks CVD: a multi-center study

BACKGROUND : Lifestyle modifications (LSM) is the cornerstones of diabetes control which include nutrition and medication, along with physical activity. Diabetes education is critical for improving patients' lifestyles, which will aid in maintaining (managing) blood glucose levels. AIM: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice to lifestyle modifications in participants’ with moderate to high risks cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHOD: This study is a cross-sectional study among out-patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus with moderate to high CVD risks attending the General Outpatient Department of three secondary care hospitals, Ilorin. The result was expressed in descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Female respondents had the highest response with 62.2% (237), with majority between the ages of 60-69 (119, 31.2%). Majority had moderate CVD risk score 76.9% (293), more than half of the respondents (57.7%, 220) had good knowledge on lifestyle modifications and CVD risk. 78.7% (300) of the participants had positive attitude towards dietary interventions and graded exercise. Majority (79.0%, 301) showed positive practice towards LSM. CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants had moderate CVD risk score with more than half of the participants having good knowledge, positive attitude and practice towards lifestyle interventions (dietary interventions and graded exercise).