Nutritional Knowlegde And Practice Among Expectant Mothers

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

 The main objective of this study is to examine the nutritional knowledge among expectant mothers in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State, but the researcher intends to achieve the following sub objectives; 

i) To outline common pregnancy outcome with poor maternal nutrition in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

ii) To ascertain the relationship between dietary intake, physical activity and maternal nutritional status in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

iii) To enumerate factors associated with deterioration in maternal nutritional status in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

iv) To examine the role of contraception in maternal nutrition, and the preventive measures, treatment of micronutrient deficiencies. 

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher in null and alternative statements.

Ho: Age of expectant mothers at pregnancy has no significant influence on level of nutritional knowledge.

H1:  Age of expectant mothers at pregnancy has a significant influence on level of nutritional knowledge

Ho:  There is no significant relationship between dietary intake, physical activity and maternal nutritional status of expectant mothers in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

H2:  There is a significant relationship between dietary intake, physical activity and maternal nutritional status of expectant mothers in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is unbelievable to discover that many expectant mothers in this era still lack the fundamental idea or basic knowledge of nutrition during pregnancy.It is believed that at the end of this study the findings will be of utmost benefits to every expectant mothers and women as it serves as a means of curtailing the effects of malnutrition on their reproductive health. The ministry of health will make a great deal from the findings as it serves as a material for onward sensitization within cities and communities.  The findings will be relevant to those who intend to carry out a similar research topic as it has contributed to the existing literature. Finally, the research will serve as a fuel of new reasoning and further research work in nutritional knowledge and practice among expectant mothers, and to health science students, lecturers and the general public. 

1.6    SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study is centered on examining nutritional knowledge and practice among expectant mothers in Onitsha North And South Local Government Area Of Anambra State. In the cause of the study, the researcher encounters some limitations which limited the scope of the study; 

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Inadequate Materials: Scarcity of material is also another hindrance. The researcher finds it difficult to long hands in several required material which could contribute immensely to the success of this research work.

Financial constraint:Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Knowledge: Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or learning. 

Nutrition 

Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion. 

Health: Health is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical, mental or social changes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in its 1948 constitution as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition has been subject to controversy, in particular as lacking operational value, the ambiguity in developing cohesive health strategies, and because of the problem created by use of the word "complete

Expectant mothers: Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman. Pregnancy can occur by sexual intercourse or assisted reproductive technology. Childbirth typically occurs around 40 weeks from the last menstrual period. 

1.8 Organization of the study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion and also recommendations made of the study.