Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Knowledge Among Pregnant Women in Okrika, Rivers State Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined dietary patterns and nutritional knowledge among pregnant women in Okrika, Rivers State. Three specific objectives and three research questions guided the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population was 420 comprising 120 pregnant women and 300 breastfeeding mothers. The sample size for this study was 200 comprising 100 pregnant women and 100 breastfeeding women who were selected using the stratified sampling technique. A 4-point rating scale questionnaire was used to collect data through direct contact. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data from the questionnaires, while independent t-test was used in testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings are that there is a low level of nutrition knowledge among the pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Poor nutrition attitudes by the pregnant women include: not focusing on optimal nutrition, relying on local foods, and not prioritising their food intake, while the determinants of dietary patterns amongst pregnant women include the level of one’s education, level of income, cultural beliefs, and nutrition awareness. Poor dietary patterns amongst pregnant women lead to maternal health complications, poor growth/development of the foetus and pregnancy complications. The study recommended among others that relevant agencies such as community health managers, local government authorities and public health professionals should collaborate for a comprehensive nutrition education programme that is aimed at improving the nutrition knowledge of pregnant women and women of childbearing ages.