Evaluation of Nutrition Counselling Services in Teaching Hospitals in Kaduna State

This study evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nutrition counselling services offered in teaching hospitals in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Nutrition counselling is a specialised professional service linking clinical dietetics with behavioural change communication, and its quality has direct implications for patient recovery, chronic disease management, and maternal health outcomes. The study employs a descriptive survey design, targeting dietitians, nutritionists, and patients receiving nutrition counselling in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. Data were collected from 60 health professionals and 140 patients using structured questionnaires and patient satisfaction scales. Objectives include assessing the qualifications and competencies of nutrition counsellors, evaluating patient satisfaction with counselling services, and determining the effectiveness of counselling in achieving dietary behaviour change. Recent literature identifies inadequate staffing, limited counselling materials, and time constraints as the most common barriers to effective nutrition counselling in Nigerian public hospitals. Data were analysed using mean scores, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation. The Behaviour Change Communication Model guides the study. Findings are anticipated to reveal moderate patient satisfaction but limited behaviour change outcomes attributable to single-session, non-follow-up counselling approaches. Recommendations address hospital management, the Dietitians Association of Nigeria, and the Kaduna State Ministry of Health regarding structured patient counselling protocols and staffing. Keywords: nutrition counselling, teaching hospitals, dietetics, behaviour change, Kaduna State.