Pregnancy in Mbale, Uganda: perceptions of food security and influences on women's breastfeeding intentions (1014.7)

Abstract

Pregnancy is a nutritionally vulnerable time for both the mother and the child; nutritional demands increase, as do the consequences for failing to meet these needs. Traditional beliefs, social support, psychological health, food security, other responsibilities, income, and autonomy in decisions all play roles in what women eat during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to understand women’s perceptions of food security during pregnancy, and to assess the concordance of desired versus actual dietary changes during pregnancy among low‐income pregnant women in Mbale, District, Uganda. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews (n=15) and one focus group (n=8) among pregnant women living in slum and rural settings. The majority of women report eating less during pregnancy. Often they describe eating fewer meals in a day, in addition to cutting out staple foods due to nausea. All women changed their eating habits during pregnancy, both cutting out foods that made them feel sick and introducing foods they considered to be necessary or healthier. Only two women felt they were in control of what and how much they ate; all others said that resource constraints prevent eating how much and what kinds of food they’d prefer. Half of the woman also worried that their household did not always get enough total food. Few women receive support for either food or responsibilities during their pregnancies. When asked, most women intended to exclusively breastfeed, but frequently misconstrued the definition of exclusive. Pregnancy should be a renewed focus among nutrition programs in Uganda, to dispel misconceptions around correct eating habits and help women form strong and achievable breastfeeding intentions. It is vital that even food insecure women gain access to adequate calories and nutrients in order to prevent low birth weight and stunted babies, and to give them enough energy reserves to feel confident in sufficient high quality breast milk.Grant Funding Source: Supported by a College of William and Mary Monroe Scholarship