The effect of educational intervention on improving nutritional literacy of patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Kobra Doostifar; Sahar Ebadi; Hengameh Khosravani; Zeynab Amiri; Rusdiana Rusdiana; Mehdi Bakaeian; Atefeh Kordloo

Kobra Doostifar Department of Public Health, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
Sahar Ebadi Student Research Committee, Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hengameh Khosravani Medicine Group, Amin Entezami University, Tehran, Iran
Zeynab Amiri Department of Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Tehran, Iran
Rusdiana Rusdiana Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Mehdi Bakaeian Department of Nursing, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
Atefeh Kordloo Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Keywords: nutritional literacy, diabetes, education, intervention

Abstract

The lack or inadequacy of nutrition literacy is known as a major problem and an obstacle to the health of patients with diabetes. This study aims to determine the effect of educational intervention on promoting nutritional literacy in patients with type 2 diabetes. The educational intervention was implemented in 3 sessions (each 90 minutes) for patients in the intervention group. Both groups were followed up 16 weeks after the intervention and completed the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA). Data was analyzed by SPSS-21 using a chi-square test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of all subsections of EINLA in the intervention and control groups after the educational program, so in all cases, the intervention group was better than the control group (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the mean scores of all subsections of EINLA in the intervention group before and after the education program (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant difference was seen between the mean scores of all subsections in the control group before and after the educational program (P>0.05). The present study’s findings showed that by holding regular and practical training sessions and following up on the status of patients with diabetes, it is possible to improve their nutritional literacy.