Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women Aged 15-49 Years Attending Kapenguria District Hospital West Pokot County, Kenya
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Date
2013-10-17
Authors
Kemunto, Marita Lillian
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Abstract
Dietary diversity is an aspect of dietary quality that indicates general nutritional
adequacy. Lack of diversified diets is a severe problem in the developing world, where
diets are predominantly starchy staples with few animal products, seasonal fruits and
vegetables. The nutritional status of a woman during pregnancy is important as a
suboptimal diet impacts negatively on the health of the mother, the foetus and the
newborn. There is limited knowledge in the area of dietary diversity and. factors'
affecting it among pregnant women despite evidence showing that maternal nutrition has
important direct and/or indirect consequences for all other age cohorts. The study aimed
to assess the dietary diversity, the nutritional status and factors influencing the two
among pregnant women. Cross sectional analytical design was used and the study was
carried out in West Pokot County. A sample size of 142 pregnant women was targeted
with the first respondent being randomly selected and thereafter systematic sampling was
used until the required sample was reached. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) of
the left arm of the respondents and haemoglobin levels of the women were measured to
determine the nutrition status. Data were collected using researcher administered
questionnaires and focus group discussion guide. Data were entered and analyzed using
SPSS and summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means and
percentages. Data collected using 24 hour recall was analyzed by Nutrisurvey. A P value
of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean dietary diversity score (DDS)
was 7.49 ±1.43 with 20% having high dietary diversity. Significant differences were
found in DDS based on marital status with the married more likely to have a higher DDS
.of 7.56±1.3b and the single had a lower DDS of 5.33±3.79a
, (ANOVA, p= 0.027). There
were significant differences in the mean macronutrients and micronutrients with regard to
the DDS where respondents with a higher DDS (> six) were more likely to have a higher
macro and micro nutrient intake compared with those who had a lower DDS «five). The
mean energy intake was 1909 Kcal±630 which is below the Recommended Daily
Allowances (RDA) of 2400 Ke-al for pregnant women. Based on MUAC cut offs, 31.7
percent were malnourished (MUAC ,<21.0cm) while 68.3 percent of the respondents were
normal (MUAC >21.0cm). MUAC was positively correlated with the socio economic
status (r=0.229, p=0.006). Based on the WHO cut offs (Hb <11.0 mmols/l), 73.6 percent
were anaemic. Regression showed that the age of the mother and the numbers of births
were significant predictors of the MUAC of the pregnant women (p=O.OO1). It is
recommended that guidelines for nutrition and diets for pregnant women be developed
and disseminated and promotion of dietary diversity and modification of diets be carried
out through practical demonstrations in the community and health facilities. The findings
of the study may be used by Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) and
other organizations to promote and implement programmes aimed at improving dietary
diversity and nutrition status among pregnant women in the County and other counties
with similar characteristics.
Description
Department of Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics, 106p. The RG 559 .K3 2013