Publication: Determinants of nutritional practices among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Ngao sub-county hospital, Tana-river county
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2022-03
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Dietary practice among pregnant women is an observable action of behavior of dietary
habit usually classified as good or bad dietary practices and usually influences both
pregnancy and foetal outcome. Pregnancy presents a critical stage of development for
both the mother and the developing foetus. The stage is equally nutritionally demanding
with caloric intake requirements rising compared to that in pre-gravid state. Poor
nutritional practices during this stage had previously shown devastating impact not only
to the foetus but also to the mother. Malnutrition during this stage exposes the mother
to conditions such as anaemia, diabetes among other dietary related conditions. Women
in developing countries find themselves restricted by multiple factors that interfere with
their capacity to meet the demands at this stage. Thus, this study sought to assess the
determinants of dietary practices among expectant women visiting antenatal clinic in
three dimensions that were individual factors, institutional linked factors, and socio-
cultural factors The Health Belief model was the theoretical model utilized in this study.
The study design was descriptive where the variables under investigation were
described. The study design was a descriptive. The sampling method was census
sampling. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis was
done using SPSS version 24.0 whereby calculations of mean, percentages, and
frequencies was done. The results indicated that majority of the respondents were aged
between 21 and 25 years (32.6%), with 77.9% married and 31.4% had secondary level
of education. On religion, majority were Christians (53.5%). The results showed that
age of the mother, highest level of education, employment status of the mother,
knowledge on balanced diet were the individual characteristics of the participants that
were significant at p values <.05. Religious affiliation did not significantly affect
nutritional practices but the cultural beliefs of the mothers were significantly associated
with nutritional practices at p value< .05. On facility-linked factors; counselling the
mothers on nutrition, using nutritional model to counsel the mothers and giving the
mothers micronutrient supplements were all significant at p value<.05. The study
indicated that an increase in education level of the pregnant mother determines their
understanding of good nutritional practices; higher levels of education were associated
with good nutritional practices. Therefore, health workers should endeavor to enlighten
pregnant women on nutritional practices especially those with low levels of education
or no formal education.
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Dietary, pregnant women, development, Health Belief model, SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education, cultural beliefs