Nutritional Attitude and Behaviour of Multiparous Pregnant Women on Pregnancy Outcome in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Maternal nutrition is critical in improving pregnancy outcomes. Yet, global prevalence shows that newborns constitute 15.5% with Low Birth Weights (LBW). More so, 20million of these infants’ accounts for 96.5% in developing countries each year. Efforts to engage women for adequate and ideal nutritional practices have not attained the global target. Thus, the central objective of this study was to examine nutritional behavior of multiparous women; document food consumption practices among women; document cultural practices influencing nutritional behavior and mother’s attitudes towards ideal nutrition during pregnancy. Through mixed-method approach, 215 respondents were recruited at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was analyzed using statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v.25). Results shows that, women engage in different nutritional practices owing to perceived risk during pregnancy such as, miscarriages, low birth weight, overweight, still births, obstetric complications and prior experiences relating to previous pregnancies. More so, perceptions on food preferences varies and depends on their cravings. Also, majority, 62.9% owe decisions on food consumption to their husbands. While, 53.3% consume herbal concoctions to aid delivery and prevent witchcraft. Results from the hypotheses shows that, nutritional behavior was significantly related (P<0.05) to pregnancy outcome. The study concludes that, nutritional behaviour during pregnancy is influenced by prior experiences relating to childbirth and women socioeconomic status. Therefore, routine education on ideal diet and empowerment for women is vital for maternal and childbirth outcomes.