Noncommunicable diseases protect score and its predictors among adults with chronic diseases from public hospitals in Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study

Background The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is increasing globally including in the African countries. Healthy nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of NCD. Therefore, this study aimed to assess NCD protect score as indicator of dietary quality of adults with NCD in Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia. In addition, it identified predictors of good NCD protect score and highlighted salt usage practice. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 882 adults with diabetes and/or hypertension from February to April in 2023. Descriptive statistics was computed to satisfy univariate outcomes and logistics regression analysis was done to identify predictors of good NCD protect score. Results Less than one-thirds (29.5%) of the participants achieved good NCD protect score. Among salt users (n = 224), nearly half (47%) consume more than five grams of salt in a day. No formal education [AOR = 0.5 (95%CI: 0.29, 0.85), p = 0.011], being from no radio [AOR = 0.56 (95%CI:0.39, 0.82), p < 0.003] and no refrigerator [AOR = 0.22 (95%CI: 0.12, 0.46), p < 0.001] owning household decreased probability to achieve good NCD protect score as compared to the counterparts. In contrary, being widowed/divorced [AOR = 2.22 (95%CI: 1.17, 4.22), p = 0.015] and common out of home eating practice [AOR = 1.57 (95%CI:1.05, 2.34), p = 0.027] increased probability to achieve good NCD protect score. Conclusions Substantial proportion of adults with NCD did not achieve good NCD protect score. Moreover, both complete salt avoidance, and more than the recommended amount salt consumption practice among salt users are prevalent. Education, access to media and food preservation services predicted NCD protect score. Context specific nutrition interventions have to be designed and integrated with existing NCD medical care. Implementation researches would also benefit further understanding and intervention effect determination.