Maternal Malnutrition and Its Associated Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Childbirth in Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Maternal malnutrition poses serious risks to both mother and child, contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as anemia, pre-eclampsia, and low birth weight. Addressing maternal malnutrition is essential for promoting healthy pregnancies and favorable birth outcomes. Methodology: The study involved 660 third-trimester pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in Dadu district, Sindh, Pakistan. The aim was to identify the association patterns of maternal nutrition on birth outcomes to inform future programming. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach with a snowballing technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using R-Studio and Canvas software to analyze associations and differences related to maternal nutrition. Results: The majority of rural participants (84%) intended to deliver at DHQ Dadu, with 81% facing inconsistent family income sources, impacting food security and healthcare access. Maternal education positively correlated with healthcare service utilization, while maternal counseling had a weaker influence. Early pregnancies were prevalent, with 29% of women reporting their first pregnancy before age 20 and 6.7% before age 16. Iron and folic acid utilization was suboptimal (20.4%), and access to healthcare was hindered by distance, cost, and inconsistent coverage, particularly in rural areas. Maternal malnutrition was a significant concern, with 15.4% identified as acutely malnourished. Conclusion: The study highlights significant challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, early pregnancies, inadequate healthcare access, and poor maternal nutrition status. Targeted interventions such as improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing maternal education, promoting early prenatal care, strengthening community-based nutrition programs, and leveraging social safety net programs can help mitigate adverse birth outcomes.