Implementation and evaluation of a nutritional screening tool

Abstract

The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate the use of a nutritional screening tool for pregnant women. The nutritional screening tool was piloted by seven midwives on between four and ten pregnant women to assess the tool's ease of use. On completion of the pilot the midwives completed a questionnaire about the use of the nutritional screening tool. The midwives were randomly selected and worked for an East Lancashire hospital. The main study evaluated the diets of pregnant women. A random sample of 55 pregnant women was screened using the nutritional screening tool and their diets assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The participants were recruited at the antenatal clinic. Dietary analysis was performed on the food frequency questionnaire data using Qbuilider. The response from the pilot of the nutritional screening tool by the midwives was positive. The midwives rated the tool easy to use with a clear and simple format. The nutritional screening tool was not statistically validated but the tool had 100% sensitivity and 66% specificity.