Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

Objectives: Detection of the gaps between the international, national guidelines of the nutrition services to chronic liver disease patients (CLD) and the already provided service at Theodore Bilharz Research Institute Hospital (TBRI);and assessment of knowledge; attitude and practice (KAP) among studied group toward healthy eating. Results: The most frequent type of chronic liver disease among studied group was chronic viral hepatitis (79%) with liver cirrhosis (67%) and ascites (66%). The most frequent lab markers of nutrition status among studied files were serum albumin and serum Na they had been done among (100%) of the cases but measuring of vitamins (fat soluble vitamins) and zinc level had not been done at all. Regarding to anthropometric measurement of the nutrition status it was found that weight measurement had been done only among (7%) of the cases and the other measures had not been done at all. Regarding to assessment of signs of vitamins A, D deficiency among studied files it was discovered that it had not been done at all. Concerning to dietary history taken it was discovered that it had not been taken at all among studied cases. As for dietary modification to the patients most of dietary modification had been done by the nurses. As regard to vitamins supplementation it was found that vitamins were used among 60% of the studied cases. After analyzing of the results of the comparison checklist between the already provided service and the national guideline rations prescribed by the MOH some difference were revealed. Analyzing assessment of the knowledge, attitude and practice of cases toward healthy eating checklist revealed that most of the patients believed that regular eating, using a variety of food from each food groups with moderation in the amount of salt and sugar, drinking at least 6-8 glasses of fluids during the day, taking complementary or alternative medicine, doing exercise are important points in healthy eating and healthy life, while on the other hand a considerable number didn{u2019}t know the answer to our questions.

Issued also as CD