TITLE:
Therapeutic Education in Cirrhotic Patients: Assessment of Knowledge about the Late Evening Snack
AUTHORS:
Agnès Angela Engoang, Manda Angel Adom, Patrice Emery Itoudi Bignoumba, Patrick Dieudonné Nzouto, Inès Flore Maganga Moussavou Taba, Monique Mbounja, Arlette Nsegue, Jean Baptiste Moussavou Kombila
KEYWORDS:
Cirrhosis, Therapeutic Education, Late Evening Snack, Nutrition
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: African data on the late evening snack (LES) remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of cirrhotic patients regarding the LES. Materials and Method: A prospective, descriptive and analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2024 to May 2026 in the Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology of Libreville University Hospital (CHUL), including all adult cirrhotic patients followed, without hepatic encephalopathy. Sociodemographic data, the number of daily meals, and specific knowledge regarding the LES were collected using a standardized form and analyzed with Epi Info 7.2.5.0. Results: Fifty cirrhotic patients were included, with a marked male predominance (sex ratio 3.1) and a mean age of 59.0 ± 16.9 years (median 63 years; range 21 - 96 years). Child-Pugh score B accounted for 72% of patients and score C for 28%. Nearly 86% had only two meals per day. No patient was aware of the concept of prolonged nocturnal fasting, had heard of the LES, or knew it was recommended. Although 52% of patients had a daytime snack, none had a late evening snack. Lack of information (68%) and financial difficulties (28%) were the main perceived barriers. Nearly half of the patients (44%) reported being in favor of specialized nutritional follow-up, with no significant association found with the sociodemographic or clinical characteristics studied (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of the late evening snack is almost completely lacking among cirrhotic patients followed at CHUL. The development of therapeutic education programs incorporating international nutritional recommendations may help improve the nutritional status of these patients.