Evaluation of Dietary Habit and Perceived Impact on Undergraduates With Peptic Ulcer Disease In Medical Laboratory Science Department, Osun State University

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) poses a significant health burden among young adults, with dietary habits contributing a significant role in its management. University students are particularly vulnerable due to academic stress and irregular eating patterns. This study evaluated dietary habits and perceived impact on students diagnosed with PUD in Medical Laboratory Science Department, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, with 241 students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage while inferential statistics of chi-square tests was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed 17.0% prevalence of PUD among the respondents. Most diagnosed students reported poor dietary habits (82.1%), including frequent meal skipping (80.5%), regular consumption of spicy foods (70.8%) and fried foods (75.6%). While general awareness of ulcer-friendly diets was high (77.6%), access to formal nutrition counseling remained low (36.9%). Students perceived dietary impacts on ulcer management, with over 90% linking specific foods to symptom aggravation and more than half (53.6%) reporting negative effects on academic concentration and performance. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant relationship between poor dietary habits and prevalence of peptic ulcer (χ² = 7.923; df = 1; p-value = 0.019). The study concludes that PUD represents a substantial health concern among students, exacerbated by poor dietary practices and inadequate professional nutritional guidance. Implementation of structured nutritional counseling and comprehensive health education programs is recommended to promote ulcer-friendly dietary practices and enhance student well-being.