Women’s Knowledge About risk of excessive Gestational Weight Gain Risks at Selected Maternal and Child Health Centers at Minia District

Abstract

Background: Obesity and overweight are on the rise in all age groups around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Given the connection between pre-pregnancy and obesity (BMI 30 kg/m2), excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), and post-partum weight retention (PPWR), these conditions are being viewed as emerging public health threats, with negative short- and long-term maternal and child outcomes. Aim of the study: To assess women’s knowledge about risk of excessive gestational weight gin risks at selected maternal and child health centers at Minia district. Design: a descriptive research design. Setting: The study was conducted in Maternal and Child Health centers (MCH) at Samalut and Matay Centers affiliated to Minia Governorate. Sample: A convenient sample of 332 pregnant women was selected. Two Tools were used: the first tool isinterviewing questionnaire was developed by the investigator to collect data and consist of two parts;Part (I): includes personal Character Part (II): knowledge of women regarding maternal nutrition during pregnancy. Second tool is Knowledge Assessment tool contains knowledge about weight gain during pregnancy to assess pregnant women knowledge about excessive weight gain during pregnancy and its risks. Results: 30.7% of pregnant women their age ranged from 20-24 years with a mean age 32.5 ± 0.939, while 10.2% of them their age ranged from 35-39 years. Half percent of pregnant women their body weight ranged from 50 to 70 kg, the mean body weight was73.8 ± 11.7 kg and the mean height was164.2± 11.7 cm. More than three quarters of pregnant women have unsatisfactory knowledge score. There is no statistically significant correlation between pregnant women knowledge and pregnancy complication. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about excessive weight gain during pregnancy and its effects was unsatisfactory. Recommendation: suggested that health education services be developed as a primary prevention of excessive weight gain in high-risk pregnant women.