NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG EXPECTANT MOTHERS IN ONITSHA NORTH AND SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF ANAMBRA STATE
ABSTRACT
The interaction between a pregnant mother and her developing baby are numerous and varied ranging from the food she eats to the kicks of the baby that she feels. What the developing baby feeds on goes a long way in determining its state of health at birth. For a pregnant mother to eat healthfully, she needs to have adequate knowledge of the different component of food. But if the knowledge is not put in practice, it becomes meaningless.
The major objective of this study therefore was to examine the nutritional knowledge and practice of the pregnant women in Onitsha North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State. Because of the large number involved, and the fact that most of the hospital had no maternity, only two hundred and fifty expectant mothers were used. Eight specific objectives and corresponding research questions and six hypotheses were stated and used for the study.
The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire which had three sections. The personal data of the respondents, fourteen questions each on nutritional knowledge and practice respectively. The questionnaire responses on knowledge were two-point scale of Yes and No while that of practices were in three-point scale of “Practice Always”. “Do not practice” and “Practice Rarely”. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, percentage, ANOVA and multiple t-test of paired comparison. The results showed that all the hypothesis of the study were rejected. The mean (x) percentage of the subjects who indicated knowledge of what constituted good nutrition was greater than those who indicated regular practice. Some correlation existed between the subject’s knowledge of nutrition and their nutritional practice. Education, age and parity influenced their knowledge and practices of nutrition. Based on these results some recommendations were made such as:- (a) Health educators and nutritionists should be invited to give health talks to pregnant women during antenatal clinic. (b) The age, educational level
and parity levels of these expectant mothers should be considered during the lessons.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Approval Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypothesis
CHAPTER TWO
Review of Related Literature
Concept of Nutrition
Concept of Pregnancy (Expectant)
Nutritional Needs and Knowledge in pregnancy
Nutritional practices in pregnancy
Empirical Studies on the Relationship Between and Pregnancy
Empirical Studies on the Role of Nutrition
Supplements in pregnancy
Effects of weight gain in pregnancy
Consideration in Determining Nutritional Needs in Pregnancy
Summary of the Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
Methodology
Research Design
Design of the Study
Area of Study
Population of the Study
Sample and Sampling Techniques
Instrument for Data collection
Validity of the instrument
Reliability
Method of Data collection
Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Presentation and Analysis of Data
Summary of Major Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussion , Conclusion , Recommendation
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
Implication of the Study
Limitations of the Study
Suggestions for Further Studies
References
Questionnaire
Appendix
9
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of Study
Eating is one activity most of us take for granted (Donatelle & Davis 1989). At times, according to Donatelle and Davis we are concerned about eating sufficient food that would get us though the day and less attention is given on their nutritional contents. The trend towards a healthful lifestyle calls for healthy eating yet in the effort to eat nut