Nutrition status of pregnant women in selected internally displaced persons camp in Delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The recent flood situation in Nigeria has contributed to the upsurge in the percentage of Internally Displace Persons particularly in the Delta State. Children and pregnant women are more venerable. Poor Nutritional status internally displaced person is a major occurrence. This has a serious implication for pregnant women in Nigeria. Assessing nutritional status of pregnant women will help in prioritizing need and intervention problems for internally displaced person, therefore this study will assess a Nutritional status of pregnant women in Selected internally displaced persons camps in Delta state Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in four selected internally displaced person camps in Delta State, November 2019. A total of 99 pregnant women were randomly selected from each camp. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data from respondents, Body mass index and mid upper arm circumference with assessed result were compared with standard criteria for nutritional status. Data was clean and entered into SPSS Version 22. Descriptive statistics was used and inferential statistic, chi square and logistic regression was use for predicting variables after adjusting for confounders. Result: The mean body mass index of respondent was 23.5 (±3.9) which indicate a good nutritional health status, however 9.3% had poor nutritional status with BMI (>18.5). Also the mean distribution of MUAC was 27.5(±3.6) cm indicating good nutritional status of (<23cm), although 27.8% had poor nutritional status with (MUAC ≥23cm). chi square test, economic status (X2=9.794, (P=0.020<0.05), antenatal visit of at least twice in present ( X2=5.946, P=0.015) and pregnancy and present trimester (X2=12.939, P=0.002<0.05) were significantly associated with nutritional status of pregnant women. On regression analysis only ANC visit (OR= 3.134, Cl=1.226-8.013, p-value=0.17) and present trimester of pregnant women (OR=0.75,Cl=0.016-0.352, p-value=0.01) were significant Conclusion and recommendation: Poor nutritional status among pregnant women in this study is high, there is need to develop programs that focuses on educating mothers on the need of good nutrition in Nigeria.