Dietary Practices among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon and the Madina Polyclinic.

Abstract

Dietary practices among pregnant women from preconception through to lactation can influence growth, development and long-term health of the child as well as the health of the mother. It is expedient that pregnant women practice good nutrition to prevent the mother and child from experiencing negative health outcomes. This study sought to investigate the dietary practices among pregnant women, identifying pregnant women’s knowledge about dietary practices, their attitudes towards dietary practices and the socio-cultural beliefs that influence their dietary practices. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study. A structured questionnaire was administered to the pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic at the University of Ghana Hospital and the Madina Polyclinic and the data gathered was analysed using SPSS Version 22. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to identify pregnant women who sought antenatal care from the University of Ghana Hospital and the Madina Polyclinic. The association between socio-cultural beliefs and dietary practices was determined using Correlation and the demographic characteristics with dietary practices were analysed using Logistics Regression and Chi-Square Statistics. A total of 350 pregnant women were involved in this study. The results of the study revealed that most of the pregnant women (91.7%) had high knowledge of dietary practices and 85.1% of them had a positive attitude towards dietary practices. The results also revealed that 57.1% of the pregnant women engaged in good dietary practices. An association of socio-cultural beliefs and dietary practices showed that there is a strong negative correlation between socio-cultural beliefs and dietary practices r(350) = -0.116, p < 0.05. An association between demographic characteristics and dietary practices revealed that educational level (p=0.01), religious affiliation (p=0.004), employment status (0.002) and trimester (0.001), were significantly associated with knowledge of dietary practices. Also, an association between dietary practices and demographic characteristics revealed that, pregnant women who were employed OR= 2.042(p<0.05) were more likely to engage in good dietary practices than unemployed pregnant women and pregnant women who were in their second and third trimester OR= 2.097 and 2.634 (p<0.05) respectively, were more likely to engage in good dietary practices than those in their first trimester. There are several factors that influence the dietary practices of pregnant women. The study focuses attention on the need for intensive education especially on the various food groups and essential nutrients needed for the growth and development of the pregnant woman and the foetus.