Level of Nutritional Knowledge among Expectant Mothers in Saidu Teaching Hospital, Pakistan

Abstract

Maternal nutrition is essential from conception and throughout pregnancy as it is a critical factor in child survival, growth and development. Many expectant mothers do not have adequate knowledge of causes, complications, management and preventive measures of nutritional imbalances during pregnancy, which is responsible for the high prevalence of poor maternal nutritional status. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sample population was from the study population from Saidu Teaching Hospital, Pakistan. Yamane formula was used to calculate sample size of 286. Data collection was carried out using structured questionnaires and analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25 of 2015 software. The results of the study also found that majority of the expectant mothers were knowledgeable on nutritional requirements during and even after pregnancy. They are aware of the balance diet required for them; however, there were also those who did not understand about the nutritional requirements. Expectant mothers had positive attitude towards nutrition. Majority of expectant women were positive towards antenatal check-up during pregnancy. Majority of them also felt that skipping meals among expectant mothers affects their health. Preparing meals rich in iron such as beef, chicken or fish is necessary. Supplementation of iron and folic acid are good for the mother and fetus. The study also concluded that expectant mothers had positive attitude towards nutrition and were willing to consume food that was healthy for them and to the child. The study thus recommends for periodic awareness training by health care providers on the need to observe nutritional requirement and how to identify the right foods to consume and correct diet to observe.  The periodic awareness training can be undertaken by local health care providers in support by the county government, national government and non-governmental health organization like UK Aid, USA Aid and others. The study recommends for the need of subsidizing supplements and nutrients sold in the private dispensaries and health centers so that expectant women from low income household can afford them. Subsidizing of supplements and nutrients can be done by government by reducing VAT taxes on these products. Keywords: Nutritional Knowledge, Expectant Mothers, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Pakistan