Abstract

Nutrition is a fundamental stronghold of human life and its requirement varies with respect to age, gender and during physiological changes such as pregnancy. Nutritional requirement increases during pregnancy can influence the growth, development, and health of the mother and her new-born child. Understanding the antenatal mothers’ nutrition knowledge is essential to developing effective strategies to combat malnutrition and encouraging healthier dietary behaviours. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of pregnant mothers on maternal nutrition and associated factors in Mezam Division. In order to achieved the study objectives, a sample of 80 pregnant women were purposively and randomly selected to participate in the study using a structure questionnaire. Quantitative data collected were analysed using SPSS (21.0) where descriptive statistics, Chi-Square and Regression analysis was carried out to determine the relationship that exists between variables at p< 0.05. The research show that the mean age of the respondents was 29.5 ± 2.12years. There was a positive significant relation between information about nutrition, educational status of mothers and family income and nutrition knowledge of mothers during pregnancy (p<0.05). The knowledge of pregnant mothers was relatively low in this study. Information about nutrition, family income and educational status of mothers had a positive significant relation with mothers’ nutrition knowledge in the study area. Hence, the government in collaboration with other stakeholders (schools, hospitals etc.) should focus on nutritional education and information about nutrition to increase the knowledge of pregnant mothers on nutrition and put in practice during pregnancy in the study area.

Keywords: Nutritional knowledge, antenatal mothers, pregnancy, Mezam Division.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

The nutritional status of the mother at conception is a key factor for development and foetal growth, so a healthy, balanced diet is essential both before and during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the mother’s diet provides energy and nutrients to both herself and the foetus’ growth and for future lactation (Paola and Rosa, 2017).

Nutrition during pregnancy has a major impact on the outcome of pregnancy and accredited as an important determinant for a healthy and successful pregnancy including the life-long health of future generation (Adikari et al., 2016; Han et al., 2011; Bawadia et al., 2010).

According to the World Bank (2006), nutrition is a fundamental pillar of human life, health and development throughout the entire life span. Proper food and good nutrition are essential for survival, physical growth, mental development, performance and productivity, health and wellbeing. However, the nutrition requirement varies with respect to age, gender and during physiological changes such as pregnancy.

Though nutrition is the intake of food necessary for optimal health, several studies have revealed that inadequate maternal nutrition could lead to malnutrition which causes poor pregnancy outcomes, such as fetal growth failure, low birth weight, preterm birth, prenatal and infant mortality and morbidity (Abu-Saad and Fraser, 2010; National Population Commission & ICF International, 2014). On the contrary, excessive nutrition intake during pregnancy can lead to complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, macrosomia, dystocia, and higher prevalence of cesarean section (Rocco et al., 2005).

Eating well during pregnancy means do more than simply increase how much the mother eats. The mother must also consider what she eats. The ability of mother to provide nutrients and oxygen for her baby is a critical factor for fetal health and its survival (Westenberg et al., 2002). Failure in supplying the adequate amount of nutrients to meet fetal demand can lead to fetal malnutrition. The fetus responds and adapts to under nutrition but by doing so it permanently alters the structure and function of the body.

Maternal over nutrition also has long-lasting and detrimental effects on the health of the offspring (Westenberg et al., 2002).

Malnutrition is one of the most serious health problems affecting children and their mothers. Undernourished mothers face greater risks during pregnancy and childbirth, and their children set off on a weaker developmental path, both physically and mentally. Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections (IYCN, 2011). Those who survive may be locked into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth, often with irreversible damage to their cognitive and social development. Malnutrition prevents individuals and even the whole country from achieving full potential, and is closely related with survival, poverty and development (IYCN, 2011).

The incidence of dietary inadequacies as a result of dietary habits and patterns in pregnancy is higher during pregnancy than at any other stage of the life cycle (O’Brien and Davies, 2007). It was shown that, nutrition knowledge was predictive of change in dietary habits and health advices encouraged expectant women to advance their food intake (Rao et al., 2006).

Knowledge on nutrition is a vital element to ensure positive pregnancy outcome and is the integral to achieve healthy dietary behaviours and subsequently improves their diet quality (Mugyia et al., 2016). Mitra et al. (2012) highlight the importance that antenatal mothers could benefit through nutritional knowledge.

Despite maternal nutrition during pregnancy is crucial in reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality which are the target area in achieving the Millennium Development Goal in most African countries especially Cameroon, a dearth of study has been conducted to assess the level and associated factors of nutritional knowledge during pregnancy among antenatal mothers. It is thus important to investigate this issue. This research study aim to fill this gap in knowledge and share it at the national, regional and international level to contribute to the evidence base for informing future antenatal care when dealing with maternal nutritional knowledge.

 

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Studies have shown that, each year, more than half a million women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Nearly 4 million new-borns die within 28 days of birth (UNICEF, 2009). Many of the 200 million women who become pregnant each year, most of them in developing countries, suffer from ongoing nutritional deficiencies repeated infections and the long term cumulative consequences of under nutrition during their own childhood (Mora and Nestel, 2000; Huffman et al., 2001; UNICEF (2009).

Many women suffer from a combination of chronic energy deficiency, poor weight gain in pregnancy, anaemia, and other micronutrient deficiencies, as well as infections like HIV and malaria. These along with inadequate obstetric care, contribute to high rates of maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes.

Maternal under-nutrition diminishes a woman’s productivity, causing repercussions for herself, her family, her community, and the broader society (AED-LINKAGES, 2004). Maternal malnutrition is influenced not only by lack of adequate nutrition but also influenced by factors like socio demographic factors, nutritional knowledge of mothers during pregnancies (Daba et al., 2013).

Although, several researches have been conducted on pregnancy and material health worldwide, very few literatures have looked at the issues of maternal nutrition in the area.  Research, program reports, and other materials specifically related to maternal nutrition principles, practices, and programs are not available either in the study area.

Even though, maternal nutrition during pregnancy is crucial in reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality which are the target area in achieving millennium development goal, no study has been conducted to assess the knowledge of mothers on nutrition and associated factors during pregnancy in the study area. As a result, there is lack of comprehensive information regarding nutritional knowledge and factors associated with it in the study area.

 

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

1.3.1    Main Objective

The main objective of the study is to assess the knowledge of pregnant mothers on maternal nutrition and associated factors in Mezan Diviion, North-West Region, Cameroon.

1.3.2    Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of this study would be;

1. To assess knowledge of pregnant mothers with regard to nutrition in Mezam Division.
2. To identify associated factors of nutritional knowledge of mothers during pregnancy in Mezam Division.

 

1.4       Research Questions

1. What knowledge do pregnant mothers have with regards to nutrition in the Mezam Division?
2. What are the associated factors of nutritional knowledge of mothers during pregnancy in Mezan Mezam?

 

1.5 Hypothesis

H0: There is no significant relationship between factors associated with maternal knowledge on maternal nutrition.

H1: There is a significant relationship between factors associated with maternal knowledge on maternal nutrition.