Nutrition Knowledge and Eating Habits of Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Poor nutrition knowledge and unhealthy eating habits are major contributors to the global rise in non-communicable diseases. Despite the abundance of nutrition information, many individuals struggle with adopting and maintaining healthy eating patterns. This study assessed the association between nutrition knowledge and eating habits among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary hospital in the Limpopo province of South Africa. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 303 healthcare workers. The data collection period was from the 18 of April to the 5 of May in 2023. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three sections: demographic information, nutrition knowledge, and eating habits. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with a significance level set at <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05. More than half of the participants (n = 165; 55%) demonstrated a moderate level of nutrition knowledge (scores of 60-79%), while 113 (37%) had a high level of knowledge (80-100%) and 25 (8%) had a low level of knowledge (<60%). Only 16% of participants reported healthy eating habits, while 84% reported unhealthy eating habits. A statistically significant association was observed between occupation and nutrition knowledge (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with medical doctors showing higher knowledge levels than nurses and allied health professionals. No significant association was found between nutrition knowledge and eating habits (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Notably, even participants with high nutrition knowledge did not consistently report healthy eating behaviours. Although most healthcare workers possessed moderate to high nutrition knowledge, this was not consistently reflected in their eating practices. Future research should explore factors influencing the gap between nutrition knowledge and eating behaviour among healthcare professionals.