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Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge, Beliefs And Practices In Pregnant Women
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Having
the knowledge of nutrition or diet and believing in the same are one
thing, but practicalizing what one knows and believes is another and
most important for the pregnant woman (Uzomah, 2007).Knowledge of
certain foods and drugs and belief in them, will cause pregnant women to
practice their intakes (Amaonye, 2000). For instance, for pregnant
women to take foods rich in vitamin and protein such as: meat, milk,
fish, eggs, liver, kidney, beans, vegetables, fruits, bread, and should
take folic acid and fergon tablets for healthy babies to be formed and
delivered without problems (Barnes, 2001).
Globally speaking, women
who are pregnant should be aware of the intake of foods and drugs that
promote health vitality in both the unborn child and the mother (World
Health Organisation (WHO), 1979). In Nigeria, awareness has been created
on the kind of foods pregnant mothers should take for them to be
healthy and maintain balance. Also, in Lagos State, a sensitization
mechanism has been put in place for the promotion of nutritional
knowledge, beliefs and practices among pregnant women. This has helped
most pregnant women to be aware of certain food-intakes and drugs that
give them the necessary health vitality in pregnancy (Nkwor, 2001).
1.3Statement of Problem
In
our society, there is strong attachment to beliefs and cultural norms
even among the educated ones. While we agree that some of these beliefs
and the practices are good, the others may not be so good. Recorded
advances in medicine and medical services not withstanding, majority of
the pregnant women seem to prefer taking instruction on nutrition and
antenatal healthcare from traditional birth attendants. This diverse
information have effect on the health of pregnant women thus the need to
carry out this study on effect of nutritional knowledge, beliefs and
practices among pregnant women.
Understanding what they eat and what
they forbid or abhor will enable the health worker structure a balance
diet for them in line with available local food stuffs. Also, finding a
means of spreading health talk on nutrition during pregnancy.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were raised in this study:
(1) Is there any nutritional knowledge among pregnant women in Lagos State?
(2) Is there any nutritional belief system among pregnant women in Lagos State?
(3) Do women practice nutrition during their pregnancy?
(4) Is there any relationship between the knowledge of nutrition and health vitality of the newborn child?
(5) Is there any relationship between the nutritional-knowledge of pregnant women and their practice of it?
1.5 Purpose of the Study
The
main purpose of this study is to examine assessment of
nutritional0knowledge, beliefs and practices of pregnant women and their
effect of their nutritional status in Lagos State.
The following are the specific objectives of the study:
(1) To find out whether pregnant women have knowledge of nutrition.
(2) To examine whether pregnant women have nutritional belief system.
(3) To investigate whether pregnant women practice the intake of good food/drugs.
(4)
To find out whether there is relationship between the knowledge of
nutrition and health vitality of the new born child.
(5) To examine whether there is relationship between nutritional knowledge of pregnant women and their practice of it.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study was carried out to examine the effect of nutritional knowledge on nutritional practice and belief among pregnant women in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. The study focused on women attending the ante-natal clinic at five Health Centres in Lagos State. The subjects were made of women of various ages with different socio-cultural and economic levels. The descriptive research survey design was used to assess the opinions of selected respondents from five health centres ... Continue reading---
