ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL LITERACY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN DUTSE GENERAL HOSPITAL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

Pregnancy is one of the most critical and unique period in a woman’s life cycle. It is regarded as a “welcome event” or successful womanhood. A woman’s body changes dramatically during pregnancy, hence there is a strong need balance these changes with an adequate and nutritious diet. Pregnancy is often accompanied by a variety of nutritionally lined problems with symptoms that are sometimes very unpleasant and difficult to tolerance. Cravings and aversions, which refer to a strong desire and strong dislike for certain food respectively, are common during pregnancy with complications such as nausea and vomiting. These complications may cause not only discomfort during pregnancy but also interfere with the dietary intake of the pregnant women and sometimes causing serious problems (Berg, 2011).  Also, unsatisfactory maternal nutrition, has been reported to result from inadequate dietary in takes during pregnancy which have been attributed to ignorance and superstition. All human beings need a balanced amount of nutrient for proper functioning of the body system. Nutrition is a fundamental pillar of human life, health and development throughout the entire life span (Berg, 2011).

There are about 40 different nutrients that are essential for health. If any one of these is deficient in the diet the person will not be fully healthy and able to resist the agents of disease malnutrition is now a problem in both poor and rich countries. In developed countries, obesity is rapidly becoming more widespread, bringing with it an epidemic of diet related non-communicable disease (NCDs) such as diabetes and heart disease, which increase care costs and reduce productivity. In developing countries, while widespread under nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiency persist, obesity is also fast emerging as a problem (EFMoH, 2007).

In Nigeria, nutritional disorder are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality. The major problems are protein energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, and iodine twenty seven percent of women in Nigeria are undernourished with a body mass index (BMI) of less than the 18.5 cut off point and only four percent are obese with BMI of more than 25.0. Nigeria is among sub-Sahara countries with the highest proportion of malnourished women. Pregnancy is a time of increased energy and nutrient needs for a woman in order to meet the needs of the growing fetus and of maternal tissue associated with pregnancy. Proper dietary balance is necessary to ensure sufficient energy intake for adequate growth of fetus without drawing on mother’s own tissue to maintain her pregnancy (Idowu, 2007).

The poor health and nutrition of women and the lack of care that contributes to their death in pregnancy and child birth also compromise the health and survival of the infants and children they leave behind (USAID, 2011). Under nutrition’s most damaging effect on the fetus occurs during pregnancy and in the first two years of life, and the effects of this early damage on health, brain development, intelligence, educability, and productivity are largely irreversible. The pregnant and lactating women’s diet should include a substantial increase in calories, protein, calcium, folic acid, iodine and iron. Pregnant women at particular risk for nutritional deficiencies are adolescents, underweight women, obese women, women with chronic nutritional problems, women who smoke or ingest alcohol or drugs, low income women, and women with chronic illness such as diabetes or anemia (Nelson, 2014).

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is essential for the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. Poor nutritional literacy among pregnant women can result in inadequate nutrient intake, which is linked to various adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and increased risk of maternal complications (World Health Organization, 2016). Despite the significance of nutritional knowledge, studies have shown that many pregnant women, particularly in developing regions, lack adequate nutritional literacy, which impedes their ability to make informed dietary choices (Abubakar et al., 2020).

In Nigeria, malnutrition remains a major public health concern, contributing to high maternal and infant mortality rates (National Population Commission & ICF, 2019). Pregnant women in Dutse, Jigawa State, may face additional challenges due to limited access to quality healthcare and educational resources. This could further hinder their understanding of key nutritional concepts such as the importance of micronutrients like folic acid and iron during pregnancy (Aliyu et al., 2019).

The lack of targeted nutritional education during antenatal care services exacerbates this problem, leaving many pregnant women unaware of the specific nutritional requirements that could ensure healthier pregnancies (Idris et al., 2018).

1.3     Objective of the Study

The general objective of this research is to assess the nutritional literacy among pregnancy women attending antenatal care in maternity of Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State. Specific objective includes: 

1.      To assess knowledge of pregnant women with regard to nutritional literacy among Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State.

2.      To examine attitude of pregnant women toward nutritional literacy in Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State.

3.      To identify dietary practice among pregnant women in Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State.

1.4 Research Question

1.      What is the level of knowledge of pregnant women with regard to nutritional literacy among Dutse general hospital Jigawa State?

2.      What is the attitude of pregnant women toward nutritional literacy in Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State?

3.      What are the dietary practices among pregnant women in Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State?

1.4.1        Hypothesis

H₁: There is significance difference on knowledge of pregnant women with regard to nutritional literacy in Dutse based on location?

H₀: There is no significance difference on knowledge of pregnant women with regard to nutritional literacy in Dutse based on location?

H₁: There is significance difference in the attitude of pregnant women toward nutritional literacy in Dutse LGA based location.

H₀: There is no significance difference in the attitude of pregnant women toward nutritional literacy in Dutse LGA based location.

H₁: There is significance difference on dietary practice of pregnant women with regard to nutritional literacy in Dutse based on location?

Ho: There is no significance difference in the dietary practice of pregnant women toward nutritional literacy in Dutse LGA based location.

1.5   Significance of the Study

Malnutrition literacy in pregnancy is associated with a host of adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth with over-nutrition; small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and neonatal death with under-nutrition. Therefore the finding of this descriptive cross sectional study will contribute in filling the gap in understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding maternal among pregnant women attending ANC clinics in the study area.

The results of the study will inform design of the nutrition education intervention strategies targeting pregnant women “due to their importance in reproductive and productive role in the society. Besides the health providers and Nigerian Ministry of Health, others who are interest in the field of maternal health in general will benefit from this research.

1.6   Scope of the Study

The study was limited to all pregnancy women attending antenatal clinic in Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State.

1.7   Operational Definitions of Terms

ü  Antenatal Clinic: It is where pregnant women are given different diagnosis/treatment during pregnancy and cares are being given.

ü  Pregnancy: This is a period during which a women carrier a developing fetus normally in the uterus.

ü  Antenatal Care: Antenatal care (ANC) is a medical and general care that is provided to pregnant woman during pregnancy based on local situation.

ü  Nutrition: Is the selection of foods and preparation of foods, and their ingestion to be assimilated by the body.

ü  Malnutrition: Is refers to the excessive intake of food, especially in unbalanced proportions or lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things or being unable to use the food that one does eat.

ü  Literacy: It refers to an individual’s understanding of nutrition, including the intellectual ability to remember and recall food and nutrition-related terminology, specific pieces of information and facts.