Efficacy of Psycho-Educational Nutrition Initiative on Energy and Micronutrient Intake, Physical Activity and Pregnancy Outcomes in Migori County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2019-03
Authors
Oyeho, Florence A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
A large number of pregnant women in many parts of the world enter pregnancy at
sub-optimal weight and height. A third of Kenyan population suffer from food
insecurity that is further complicated by factors such as adverse weather conditions
and increases in food prices. The result is malnutrition which primarily affects
pregnant women and children under five years and significantly contributes to their
morbidity and mortality. Maternal nutrition is critical for both mother and child as it
lays fundamental foundation for the successful outcome of pregnancy. Kenya’s high
rate of undernutrition among women of reproductive age are due to sub-optimal
feeding practices, heavy workload, inadequate micronutrient intake and insufficient
awareness and knowledge on nutritionally adequate diets among pregnant women
leading to preterm births, low birth weight, high mortality and morbidity, impaired
growth, and increased risks during childbirth for both mother and child. This study
sought to investigate socio-demographic characteristics, determine nutrition
knowledge and health conditions and effect of nutrition educationon nutrition
knowledge and dietary practices, assess energy and micronutrient intake, determine
physical activity levels, and determine pregnancy outcomes and associations between
psycho-educational nutrition initiative and nutrient intake, physical activity and
pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Migori County. A prospective cohort
study design was used and simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample of
150 pregnant women from three sub-county hospitals purposively selected for study.
Pregnant women of GA ≤26 weeks were recruited and enrolled into psychoeducational
nutrition intervention study. Data was collected by 24 hour recall,
International Physical Activity Questionnaire, biochemical analysis, anthropometric
measurements and secondary data. Data was collected at baseline and after
intervention for each woman and analyzed by Nutri-Survey computer package, IPAQ
scoring protocol and SPSS. Data was summarized by descriptives and relationships
between variables was tested by Chi square, regression model and pearson’s product
moment correlation.ANOVA and t-tests were used to test for differences between
means. Findings showed that the pregnant women were of low economic status.
Nutrition education had positive significant associations with nutrition knowledge and
practices. Most women had good health with on conditions interfering with their food
consumption. Generally, there was improved dietary intake of all nutrients after the
intervention although some did not meet the RDA even after intervention There was a
slight reduction in physical activity factors and increased time for rest was observed
after intervention although there was no significant reduction in activity levels (p ≤
0.05). Weight gain (5.98 kg) was lower than recommended, mean gestation age was
normal (37.74 weeks) but lower for preterm births category and mean BW
(3039±489.5 g) was normal although 7% of new bornes had LBW. The study found
significant effects of nutrition knowledge from the psycho-educational initiative on
nutrient intake and pregnancy outcomes but found no effect on physical activity. The
study concludes that nutrition education can be used to enhance pregnancy outcomes
and nutrient intake among pregnant women. The finding is important to central and
county governments, civil society, intergovernmental agencies, research groups,
business enterprises and community under study.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the
Requirement for the Award of The Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta
University, School of Public Health and Applied Human
Sciences, March,2019