The Effect of Dietary Fiber Intake on Blood Pressure Control among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Selected Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Multi-Facility Cross-Sectional Study

Background Consuming dietary fiber can contribute to a healthy diet and potentially safeguard the cardiovascular system. However, contextual data on this relationship are limited. Therefore, this study examined the role of dietary fiber intake on blood pressure control among Type 2 diabetic patients in selected facilities. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March to April 2024. A total of 287 Type 2 DM patients were selected from health facilities in Addis Ababa using the multistage sampling. Data on blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and other important variables were collected from all participants via the KOBO Collect mobile app. Dietary data were obtained through a repeated multiple-pass 24-hour recall, with portion sizes estimated and analyzed into nutrients using Nutri survey 2007. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27. Result A significant proportion (79.4%) of respondents exhibited poor blood pressure control, while over half (56.7%) demonstrated poor glycemic control. Additionally, 10.3% of participants were classified as obese, and 39% had stage 2 hypertension. The mean dietary fiber intake was 32.5 ± 20 g/day. An inverse correlation was observed between dietary fiber intake and blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), and HbA1c levels. Furthermore, exercise and dietary fiber intake were significantly associated with better blood pressure control (p < 0.005). Conclusion Our findings illuminated the significant benefits of dietary fiber intake in managing blood pressure and glycemic control among individuals with multiple comorbidities. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted public health initiatives to promote healthy diets as a key strategy in preventing cardiovascular diseases.