Effect of Food Choice Behavior Promotion Program among Muslim Diabetic Patients in Chumphon Subdistrict, Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province

Abstract

This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design. The objectives were to: (1) compare food selection behaviors and (2) compare blood glucose levels before and after participation in a food selection behavior promotion program among Muslim patients with diabetes in Chumphon Subdistrict, Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province. The sample consisted of 38 Muslim patients with diabetes selected through multistage sampling. The research instruments included a food selection behavior promotion program, a food selection behavior questionnaire, and a record form for fasting blood glucose (FBG) test results obtained after at least 8 hours of fasting, which were analyzed by a laboratory blood analyzer. The food selection behavior questionnaire demonstrated a reliability coefficient of 0.908. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Differences between pretest and posttest outcomes were compared using the paired t-test.

The results revealed that after participation in the program, the participants had: 1) significantly increased food choice behavior scores (Mean diff. = 26.03, 95% CI: 24.08 - 27.98, p <0.001), and 2) significantly decreased fasting blood sugar levels measured after at least 8 hours of fasting (Mean diff. = 18.19, 95% CI: 14.33 - 22.04, p <0.001)

The findings indicate that the food choice behavior promotion program developed by integrating nutritional knowledge with Islamic religious and cultural contexts effectively improved health behaviors and blood sugar control among Muslim diabetic patients. Therefore, the program should be promoted and applied in Muslim communities and other areas with similar cultural contexts.