Browsing by Author "Owino, Charles"

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    Assessing the effect of food type and feeding frequency on blood glucose levels among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes at Tororo general hospital.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Owino, Charles
    Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that requires appropriate dietary management and insulin therapy to achieve optimal blood glucose control among children and adolescents. This study assessed the effect of food type and feeding frequency on blood glucose levels among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes attending Tororo General Hospital. Specifically, the study determined the commonly consumed food types and their consumption frequency, assessed insulin dosing practices and meal-feeding frequency, and established the association between food-type consumption patterns and glycemic control. A cross-sectional analytical study design was employed involving 17 children and 16 adolescents with type 1 diabetes receiving care at Tororo General Hospital. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and a review of participants' medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while the Chi-square test was used to determine the association between food-type consumption patterns and HbA1c categories at a 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that carbohydrate-rich staple foods, particularly cassava and posho, were the most frequently consumed foods, while beans and dodo were the most commonly consumed protein and vegetable sources, respectively. Most participants administered insulin 10-15 minutes before meals; however, consistent use of carbohydrate counting and structured meal planning remained limited. The study further established a statistically significant association between food-type consumption patterns and HbA1c categories (X2 = 3.969, p = 0.021), indicating that participants consuming predominantly high-carbohydrate staple diets were more likely to have poorer glycemic control than those consuming relatively lower-carbohydrate dietary patterns. The study concludes that dietary practices significantly influence glycemic control among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Strengthening individualized nutrition counselling, promoting balanced diets, improving carbohydrate counting skills and enhancing caregiver education are essential for improving blood glucose control and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.