Nutritional self-care practices and skills of patients with diabetes mellitus: A study at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional management decreases and/or prevents the complications and deaths associated with diabetes mellitus. However, the majority of patients living with diabetes do not engage in optimal nutritional management of diabetes because they see it as the most difficult aspect of managing the condition. This study aimed to explore and describe the practices and skills on nutritional management of diabetes mellitus among patients living with diabetes attending a Ghanaian hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed an exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design. Fifteen participants were recruited using purposive sampling, and interviewed with a semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis was performed on the data gathered, following which three main themes emerged. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of the participants of this study had adequate meal planning skills, ate the right quantity of foods, engaged in healthy eating habits, and consumed healthy sources of carbohydrates, fats and protein when eating. However, more than half of the participants had insufficient knowledge and skills in the reading and usage of food labels. CONCLUSIONS: The participants of this study largely engaged in optimal nutritional management of diabetes due to their healthy dietary practices and preferences. It is recommended that health care professionals in Ghana find practical and robust ways to factor the reading and usage of food labels into the care and management of patients with diabetes.