ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Little is known about hemodialysis patients nutrition knowledge level concerning the management of their disease. The aim of the research was to determine the level of nutrition knowledge related to renal disease, nutritional status and usual dietary patterns of hemodialysis patient at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH). DESIGN AND METHODS: A twenty six (26) item structured questionnaire consisting of closed ended questions were used to record anthropometry, biochemical markers, usual dietary patterns. The sample size was 106 patients and data were collected quantitatively. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: One half (49%) of respondents had a misconception of high potassium foods, while 38.5 % had a lack of knowledge of high or low sodium food sources. The usual dietary intake revealed 46% ate foods from animals 2 times daily; 36% once daily and 16% 3 times daily. Only 34% of the participants were knowledgeable about the correct amount of Foods from Animals (FFA) that should be consumed daily according to their weight. Albumin level below 35g/L was found in 34% of the sample; while 12% of the sample population had a Body Mass Index below 18.5 kg/m2 (underweight); 70% had a high phosphorus level and 17% had a high potassium level. CONCLUSION: Nutrition knowledge level deficit was observed which affected the patients nutritional status. Multidisciplinary approaches including educational interventions are needed to improve patient care outcome.
Subject(s)
Patient Education as Topic , Food and Nutrition Education , Hemodialysis Units, Hospital , Disease Management , JamaicaSubject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Life Style , Feeding Behavior , Food and Nutrition Education , Exercise , Physical Fitness , JamaicaSubject(s)
Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Male , Female , Food and Nutrition Education , Jamaica , Life Style/ethnology , DiseaseSubject(s)
Humans , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Male , Female , Life Style , Food and Nutrition Education , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Jamaica , Exercise , Self Concept , Weight Gain , Chronic Disease , Diet Surveys , Feeding Behavior , Nutrition Disorders/prevention & controlABSTRACT
A study of the elderly was carried out in 2 Cornwall County parishes (Hanover and Westmoreland) from June to August, 1987. The health status and general situation of the elderly attending Government Medical Clinics was studied to obtain information to design nutrition education services that met their needs. Four Health Centres (two Type II and two Type III) were selected by stratified random sampling for the study. The results indicated that more elderly women (71 percent) than men (29 percent) used in primary Health Care Services. Obesity was more common among women (29 percent) than men (0 percent). More men (30 percent) were underweight than were women (9 percent). Food stamps appeared to be the most regular source of income for the elderly. Most of the elderly (92 percent) felt that they were not in good health. Although they generally had 2 to 3 meals per day, their food intake, particularly of fruits and peas, appeared to be inadequate. The results point clearly to a need to strengthen the nutrition education services offered to the elderly attending Government Medical Clinics in Cornwall County, Jamaica (AU)
