Abstract

Cosmas Nnadozie Ezejindu, Ph.D* and Okoro Ugochi Beauty, M.Sc.

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that affects approximately 537 million adults globally, with its prevalence rapidly increasing in Nigeria due to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and changing dietary patterns. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of promotional lifestyle behaviours for reducing diabetes among middle-aged residents of selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, 400 questionnaires were distributed across five LGAs, with 354 valid responses (88.5% response rate) collected. The study revealed high diabetes awareness (87.9%) among respondents, with 73.2% correctly identifying diabetes as a high blood sugar condition. While knowledge of diabetes causes was good, with 64.4% recognizing poor diet and 52.3% acknowledging lack of exercise as contributing factors, lifestyle practices showed room for improvement. Only 16.7% consumed fruits and vegetables daily, and 12.4% engaged in daily physical exercise. Chi-square analysis revealed significant regional variations in understanding diabetes (p = 0.006), knowledge of causes (p = 0.003), smoking habits (p = 0.021), and consumption of sugary foods/drinks (p = 0.007). Although 81.6% expressed willingness to adopt lifestyle changes, barriers such as lack of time (34.2%), motivation (27.7%), and resources (24.0%) hindered implementation. The study found no significant demographic differences across LGAs, suggesting that variations in knowledge and practices were primarily due to environmental and systemic factors rather than population differences. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that address regional disparities in health education and improve access to resources facilitating healthy living. A comprehensive approach combining enhanced health education with practical support mechanisms could significantly improve diabetes prevention efforts among middle-aged residents in Imo State.