Effectiveness of Handbook with Traffic Light for Food Groups on Knowledge, Food Consumption Behavior and Blood Sugar Levels of Diabetic Patients in Nong Bua Hospital, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using handbook with traffic light for food groups in nutrition therapy on knowledge, food consumption behavior and blood sugar levels of diabetic patients. The samples were diabetic patient who received services from a Diabetic Clinic, Nong Bua Hospital, Nong Bua District, Nakhon Sawan Province. The samples were selected through systematic sampling into the experimental and comparative groups for 30 cases each. The period of the study was July-November 2019. A one-time education and instruction of knowledge on diabetic diet using handbook with traffic light for food groups was provided to the experimental group through the process of medical nutrition therapy by the nutritionist. While the comparison group was also received the same program except for handbook without traffic light for food groups. The experimental results were measured approximately 1 month after experiment. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square-test and Independent sample t-test. The level of statistical significance is a p-value <0.05. The findings showed that, after the experiment, 1) a mean scores of knowledge on diabetic diet in the experimental group was increased significantly higher than the comparison group (p<0.05), 2) a mean scores of food consumption behavior in the experimental group was increased significantly higher than the comparison group by a mean difference of food consumption behavior scores between before and after the experiment (p<0.01),  and 3) a mean blood glucose levels in the experimental group was decreased significantly lower than the comparison group  by a mean difference of blood glucose levels between before and after the experiment (p<0.05). This research indicated that handbook for diabetic patients with traffic light for food groups had more effectiveness in nutrition therapy, should be improved and extended using.