Nurses Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Nutritional Management of Diabetes in Tabriz University of Medial Sciences: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Diabetes is one of the prevalent chronic diseases in the world. One of significant diabetes management components is nutrition. Although nutritional therapy fall within the expertise of nutritionists, collaboration between professions requires that nurses with the most contact with patients be knowledgable about nutritional therapy and prepared to strengthen and support accurate nutrition education. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. A rondom sample of nurses in Imam Reza and Sina educational, research and treatment centers in Tabriz were selected. Data were collected during two week from 4 July 2021 to 18 July 2021. A validated paper based self-reported questionnaire was used to collect th data. The data were analyzed by using statistical methods and SPSS software. Socio-demographic and profesional background data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pearson’s Chi-square test and Monte Carlo methods were used to test for associations. Independent t-tests and analysis of variance were used to test group means. Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between the continuous dependent variable including knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes mellitus and independent variables including socio-demographic and professional variables. A p value of less than 0•05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 160 nurses working in the 35 medical and surgical wards were included in the study. The mean knowledge score was 12.16 ± 2.83 (out of 20) and 61.2% had a moderate knowledge score. The mean attitude score was 60.68 ± 6.11(out of 75) for the study nurses and 86.92% had a strong attitudes score. The mean practice score was 44.74 ± 7.81 (out of 60) and 51.9% had a moderate practice score. There was a direct and statistically significant correlation between attitude and practice of nutrition management of diabetes mellitus among nurses. The findings showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between nurses' knowledge of nutritional management diabetes mellitus and variables of gender, age, marital status, work experience, and awareness of the national diabetes guideline. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between nurses' attitudes about nutritional management of diabetes mellitus and variables of knowledge about the national diabetes document, education about the diabetic diet and the assuming to be a diabetes link nurse. There is a statistically significant relationship between nurses' practice of nutritional management of diabetes mellitus and having received diabetes education after graduation and perceived competence in nutritional management of diabetes. Conclusion: This study revealed the positive attitudes and moderate knowledge and practice of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes. Given the growing trend of diabetes worldwide and the role of nutrition in controlling it, it is necessary to improve the knowledge and practice of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes mellitus. Further studies are needed to confirm the validity and reliability of the findings of the present study, to illustrate the state of knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes mellitus at the national and international levels.