Abstract
BackgroundAn understanding of the association between adolescent nutrition, adolescent pregnancy and their quest for healthcare services may elucidate a basis for intervention and formulation of programs that enhance post-partum and increase the lifespan of the newborn, improve the quality of life and bridge morbidity, mortality and healthcare-associated cost. However, the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating adolescent girls aged below 10 years resident in Trans Mara East Sub-County, Kenya remained unestablished. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating adolescent girls (under 19) when accessing and utilizing nutritional advice and services in Trans-Mara East Sub-County, Narok County.MethodsThe study adopted a cross-sectional approach that employed mixed methods with both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Cochran formula was applied to arrive at a minimum of 291 households. Probability proportionate to size sampling techniques using cluster and simple random methods were used to practically access adolescents who are pregnant or lactating. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using frequencies and inferentially using odds ratio and z-test. Framework analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data. p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe study revealed that access of pieces of nutritional-related advice represented by 67.8% was significantly higher than expected frequency of 50%. Nutrition supplementation, food fortification or blending and complementary feeding were significantly below the expectant frequency (p < 0.01) of 50%. Nutrition service areas such as provision and collection of vitamin A and IFAS were significantly lower than expected frequency (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe most widely utilized were nutrition services that falls within the preventive-focused services followed by curative-focused services. Nutritionist and nurse more likely to increase overall utilization of nutrition services.
Highlights
An understanding of the association between adolescent nutrition, adolescent pregnancy and their quest for healthcare services may elucidate a basis for intervention and formulation of programs that enhance postpartum and increase the lifespan of the newborn, improve the quality of life and bridge morbidity, mortality and healthcare-associated cost
The nutrition services and needs of adolescent is not yet fully explored to lay foundation for interventions. It is against this background that the current study focused on elucidating the needs of pregnant and lactating adolescent girls in accessing and utilizing nutritional advice and services in Trans Mara East SubCounty within Narok County, Kenya
These statistics are supported by the risks facing adolescents in Kenya which include but not limited to: high Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, among girls (16% of people living with HIV are aged 10–24 years); high teenage pregnancies (18%); early marriages (11%) for older adolescents (15–19 years); persistent female genital mutilation (11%); high rates of anaemia (41%) among pregnant adolescents; high number of adolescents exposed to sexual violence (11%) and physical violence (50%) as well as low secondary school attendance with a net ratio of 47%
Summary
An understanding of the association between adolescent nutrition, adolescent pregnancy and their quest for healthcare services may elucidate a basis for intervention and formulation of programs that enhance postpartum and increase the lifespan of the newborn, improve the quality of life and bridge morbidity, mortality and healthcare-associated cost. The nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating adolescent girls aged below 10 years resident in Trans Mara East Sub-County, Kenya remained unestablished. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating adolescent girls (under 19) when accessing and utilizing nutritional advice and services in Trans-Mara East Sub-County, Narok County. Adolescence is a stage where puberty sets and a huge window of opportunity opens up in which they require increased nutritional needs. When adolescence is confronted with pregnancy, the nutrition requirements further becomes more demanding. Pregnancy presents another special stage in life that has the potential to positively impact on maternal health and that of the preceding generation. Adequate nutrition is imperative to meet the added demands of nutrients for the mother’s body, that of the growing fetus and instills a strong biological basis for the present and coming health, productivity and wellbeing of the mother [3]
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