Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge in Pregnant Women of Lahore: An Interview Based Study at Major Hospitals of Lahore During Prenatal Visits

Authors

  • Qaswara Affaf Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Ahmad Ibne Yousaf School of Human Nutrition & Dietetics/ Office of the Registrar, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Azzah Khadim Hussain School of Human Nutrition & Dietetics/ Office of the Registrar, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Rameesha Malik Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Ayesha Bint Yousaf Department of Surgery, DHQ Hospital, Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Maryam Sikander Department of Public Health, University of Punjab (PU), Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Maya Bint Yousaf School of Software Engineering, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Laiba Rashid School of Human Nutrition & Dietetics/ Office of the Registrar, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v2i02.210

Keywords:

Nutrition Knowledge, Public Health, Pregnant Women, Dietary Practices, Guidelines, Health Care Systems, Nutritional Recommendations

Abstract

Background: The intentions of the following study were to assess women knowledge regarding dietary practices during pregnancy. The study expresses the nutrition related knowledge of pregnant females and its correlation with associated factors of these women. The study also shows the sources of dietary guidance for these women during pregnancy. Method: The study members visited different hospitals of Lahore, interviewed pregnant women and filled questionnaire regarding their knowledge of dietary practices during pregnancy. The statistical tests applied were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Regression, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman’s correlation. Results: 364 questionnaires were finished and analysed using software. Pregnancy related nutrition knowledge was positively correlated with level of education (rs= 0.46, p<0.05) and monthly income (rs=0.27, p<0.05). Only 4.3% of women attained pregnancy scores related to nutrition knowledge above 50%. They mostly get information from their mothers and doctors. Majority of the women recommended increasing intake of supplies from all food groups and fluid. The result indicated that nutritional behaviour of women was characterized by many ill practices. Conclusion: Women interviewed for this research had restricted nutrition knowledge and proper nutrition guidelines were not provided to pregnant women at health care facilities. Women followed insufficient food routines in pregnancies that were mostly directed by mothers of women. The diet of a female during pregnancy has a direct effect on fitness outcomes of mother and child. Many women lacked this information and thus ended with micro-nutrient deficiencies. So there is an alarming need to train women to enhance their knowledge for appropriate dietary patterns to avoid severe outcomes in the form of compromised maternal-child health

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Published

2024-11-15

How to Cite

Affaf, Q., Ibne Yousaf, A., Khadim Hussain, A., Malik, R., Bint Yousaf, A., Sikander, M., Bint Yousaf, M., & Rashid, L. (2024). Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge in Pregnant Women of Lahore: An Interview Based Study at Major Hospitals of Lahore During Prenatal Visits. Indus Journal of Bioscience Research, 2(02), 381–390. https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v2i02.210