Nutrition Module Intervention to Improve Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Trainers for Persons with Disabilities in Rehabilitation Centers in Malaysia

Introduction: Other than parents, primary care providers such as community workers and rehabilitation service personnel are also important nutritional gatekeepers for persons with disabilities (PWD). Good nutrition management for PWD by joint efforts is most desirable to prevent further disablement in later years. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition module intervention on improving trainers’ knowledge, attitude and practice in nutrition management for PWD in rehabilitation centres. Methods: This quasi-experimental study which employed mixed methods design recruited 45 trainers as intervention group and another 42 trainers as comparison group. Intervention group participated in a three-consecutive-day nutrition intervention while comparison group was trained on general health care services for PWD. Nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice scores for both groups were assessed using a validated questionnaire at baseline (T0), 1-month (T1) and 6-month (T2) intervals after intervention. Intervention trainer’s on-the-job nutrition practice was further assessed by qualitative interviews. Results: Repeated measures ANCOVA demonstrated that intervention group attained significantly higher nutrition knowledge (p<0.001) and practice (p=0.001) scores than comparison group at T1 (mean difference for knowledge= 6.95; mean difference for practice= 2.93) and T2 (mean difference for knowledge= 10.30; mean difference for practice= 4.78). Significant higher nutrition attitude (p=0.004) score for intervention group was observed at T2 (mean difference= 3.08). Conclusion: This program produced favourable outcome on improving nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice of rehabilitation service personnel. The nutrition module is certainly relevant to serve as an educational or reference material for care providers of PWD in Malaysia.