The Dietary Pattern of Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility Centre in Nigeria

Abstract

Nutritional status of pregnant women is very crucial to the wellbeing of the unborn child. Good dietary pattern among pregnant women reduces the rate of maternal and infant mortality which is still a big problem in developing countries. The study assessed food and dietary pattern, energy intake and awareness of the importance of taking adequate micronutrients during pregnancy. A total of 400 pregnant women attending a routine antenatal clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile Ife, Nigeria were recruited into the study by simple random sampling method on different clinic days. Structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to elicit data on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices and 24 hour dietary recall which were used to assess the dietary pattern and nutritional status of the respondents. Seventy two per cent of the respondents were between the ages 25-34years, 91% were from monogamy family structure, 72 % had tertiary education and 83% were aware of micronutrients intake. About 98% of respondents consumed on a daily basis, food rich in carbohydrate, vegetable and fruits but 39% reported consuming protein rich diet such as fish and meat . Conclusively, the research confirmed that the dietary pattern of pregnant women showed they consumed more of carbohydrate diet compared to protein diet which is most important especially during pregnancy to improve their nutritional status and that of the unborn baby. More attention should be paid to nutritional education on the choice of food pregnant women eat, especially the less educated women and those with low income status.