Relationship between dietary practices and nutritional status of pregnant women aged between 15-49 years attending antenatal clinic at Tororo general hospital.

Abstract

Tittle: Relationship between dietary practices and nutritional status of pregnant women aged between 15- 49 years attending antenatal clinic in Tororo General Hospital. Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between socio- demographic characteristics and nutritional status of pregnant women aged 15- 49 years attending antenatal clinic in Tororo General Hospital. Research methods: A cross- sectional study, using a structured questionnaire through face to face interviews with 121 respondents was carried out. The association socio- demographic characteristics and nutritional practices was obtained by conducting a Chi-Square test. Results: The results showed that educational level, age, and main source of family food significantly associated (p˂ 0.05) to the nutritional status of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Tororo General Hospital. Results also revealed that a majority (55.4%) of respondents avoided certain foods with 40.5% avoiding iron rich foods. Conclusion and recommendation: Addressing food avoidance, encouraging the consumption of nutrient-rich foods, and promoting healthy dietary practices can contribute to better maternal and fetal health outcomes. Nutrition education and targeted interventions are essential to ensure that pregnant women receive the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.