Assessment of Preoperative Fasting Compliance and Patient Education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Preoperative fasting is a fundamental requirement for safe anesthesia administration, yet non-compliance driven by inadequate patient education remains a persistent challenge in Nigerian hospitals. This study assesses preoperative fasting compliance rates and evaluates the quality of patient education provided at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 elective surgical patients scheduled for general anesthesia between January and December 2023. Data were collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing patient knowledge of fasting requirements, compliance status, and the educational encounter experienced during preoperative preparation. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with non-compliance. The study found that 38% of patients did not fully comply with fasting instructions, with inadequate preoperative counseling cited as the primary reason. Patients educated by nurses were more compliant than those who received only printed handouts. Educational level and proximity to the hospital also influenced compliance. The study recommends standardized preoperative patient education protocols delivered by trained nursing staff, supplemented by visual aids and Hausa-language materials to improve accessibility for patients in North West Nigeria. Institutional quality improvement measures should address this gap systematically. Keywords: preoperative fasting, patient education, compliance, UDUTH Sokoto, anesthesia