FACTORS INFLUENCING ADHERENCE WITH DIETARY REGIMEN AMONG RENAL-PATIENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA

The study was conducted to investigate factors influencing adherence with dietary regimen among Renal-Outpatients (ROs) in University College Hospital, Ibadan. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted to study 203 consenting ROs who were present on clinic days. A pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from ROs. Adherence with dietary regimen was assessed using a 20-point scale categorized into poor (<8), moderate (8-14), and good (>14). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression model with level of significance set at 5%. The study revealed that the level of adherence score with dietary regimen was 13.7 ± 3.5 and 74.4% had good adherence. Most (79.3%) were satisfied with the recommended diets and a significant association was observed between health care providers’ counseling and improvement in ROs adherence. Respondents who neither smoked nor consumed alcohol were more likely to adhere with dietary regimen (OR=4.71, CI = 4.39-5.13), compared with respondents who were indulged in such acts. However, support from the workplace (73.9%) and family (79.3%), health care workers’ counseling (84.2%) and respondents’ self-determination (80.8%) influenced adherence. Adherence with dietary regimen would be enhanced when social support, strong determination, and healthy lifestyles are promoted.