KAP study on nutritional awareness among pregnant women in a tertiary care centre

DR.BHARATHI.R; DR.R.DHEEBA JAYANTHI; DR.R.PADMAPRIYA

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2018

KAP study on nutritional awareness among pregnant women in a tertiary care centre

Dr. Bharathi. R, Dr. R. Dheeba Jayanthi, Dr. R. Padmapriya

Abstract :

Adequate and balanced nutrition is important for a healthy pregnancy and better outcome. So the pregnant women has to be provided a healthy diet and they should know about nutrients to be taken during pregnancy.

Aim : This study was done to analyze the knowledge , attitude and practices of pregnant mothers towards nutrition in pregnancy in a tertiary care centre ( Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital , Salem, Tamil Nadu , India ).

Methodology : It is a cross sectional study conducted among 1000 antenatal women attending outpatient clinic from July 2017 to December 2017. Data were collected by giving semistructured questionnaire related to demographic profile , Socio economic status, literacy , knowledge , attitude and practices about nutrition in pregnancy .

Results : Only 8% of women had good knowledge ,57% had average & 35 % had poor knowledge about nutrition in pregnancy . 53% were lacking in their knowledge about harmful effects of over and under nutrition. Most of the women were lacking in their knowledge about common local sources of nutrition.

Conclusion : There is need to educate the pregnant women more about nutrition in pregnancy. There is also a need for increased awareness regarding nutritional intervention programs to improve the health status of women.