Data Analysis of Pregnant Women's Diet
Data Analysis of Pregnant Women's Diet
DATA ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the findings of the study based on all the data collected in the
field. The data is analyzed using frequency distribution tables, percentage and
charts.
1
Ethnicity:
Igala 100 50
Igbo 34 17
Yoruba 26 13
Others 40 20
Total 200 100%
Religion:
Christianity 114 57
Islam 66 33
Traditional 20 10
Total 200 100%
Monthly income:
<N30,000 80 40
>N70,000 120 60
Total 200 100%
Head of household
Husband 140 70
Others 60 30
Total 200 100%
Husband Occupation
Employed 70 35
Merchant 90 45
Daily laborer 20 10
Others 10 5
Total 200 100%
Monetary decision maker
Husband 120 60
Wife 8 4
Husband and wife together 70 35
Others 2 1
Total 200 100%
Family Size
Two 90 45
Three 70 35
Others 40 20
Total 200 100%
Pervious Pregnancy
0-2 60 30
3-5 140 70
2
Total 200 100%
Parity
<2 20 10
2-5 40 20
>5 140 70
Total 200 100%
Previous Delivery
Abnormal 40 20
Normal 160 80
Total 200 100%
Pregnancy interval
<2 years 80 40
3-5 years 75 37.5
>5 years 35 17.5
Total 200 100%
Table 4.1 above shows that majority of the respondents are within the age of 30-34
with 54(27%). 35 above with 45(22.5%), 25-29 with 40(20%), 20-24 with
35(17.5%). The lowest age range is under 19 years with 26(13%). Showing their
marital status; majority of the respondents 120(60%) are married, 40(20%) are
separated, 18(9%) are widowed, 12(6%) are single while 10(5%) are divorced. On
occupational status; majority of the respondents 80(40%) are housewives, 60(30%
do other occupations, 40(20%) are traders while 20(10%) are farmers.
3
Figure 4.1, Showing educational status of respondents
High institu-
tion
25%
No formal ed-
Higher institution
ucation 45% Secondary
Secondary primary
17.5% No formal education
Primary
12.5%
On educational status; majority of the respondents 90(45%) did not attend any
school, 50(25%) attended higher institution, 35 (17.5%) attended only secondary
school, while 25 (12.5%) attended only primary school. Also, Majority of the
respondents 100(50%) are Igala, other ethnics are 40(20%), 34(17%) are Igbo,
while 26(13%) are Yoruba. On religious status; majority of the respondents
114(57%) are Christian, 66(33%) are Islam while 20(10%) are traditional
worshippers as shown in the table.
Also for the monthly income; majority of the respondents 12(60%) have more than
70,000 while 80(40%) have less than 30,000.
4
Figure 4.2, Showing monetary decision maker in the family
120 120
100
70
80
60 Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
40
8
20 2
0
Husband Wife Husband and Others
wife togeher
Majority of the respondents 140(70%) of husbands are heads of the house while
60(30%) of other respondents the heads of the house. On husbands occupation;
majority of the respondents 90(45%) are merchant, 70(35%) are employed,
20(10%) are laborer while 10(5%) have other occupations. On monetary decision
maker; majority of the respondents 120(70%) are husbands, 70 (35%) are both
husband/wife together, 8(4%) are wives while others 2(1%) are monetary decision
maker.
Table 4.2: Do you avoid any food or diet in the current pregnancy?
VARIABLES FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)
Yes 130 65
No 70 35
Total 200 100%
5
Source: Field survey, 2022.
From the table above, result shows that majority 130(65%) of respondents avoid
some food or diet in their current pregnancy while 70(35%) of respondents do not
avoid some food or diet in their current pregnancy.
From the table above, result shows that majority 80(40%) of respondents avoid
some diet due to their culture, 75(37.5%) of respondents avoid some diet due to
their religion, 20(10%) of respondents avoid some diet due to dislike/discomfort,
15(7.5%) of respondents avoid some diet due to difficulty in labor while 10(5%) of
respondents avoid some diet due to possibility of delivering a big baby.
10%
8%
37%
5 Religion
% culture
To avoid big baby
labor difficulty
Others(dislike, discomfort
40%
6
Table 4.4: Do you skip meal during current pregnancy? (n=200)
VARIABLES FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)
Yes 140 70
No 60 30
Total 200 100%
Source: Field survey, 2022
From the table, result shows that majority 140(70%) of respondents skip meal
during current pregnancy while 60(30%) of respondents skip meal during current
pregnancy.
Table 4.5. If yes, What type meal did you normally skip? (n=200)
VARIABLES FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)
Breakfast 35 17.5
Lunch 90 45
Snack 15 7.5
Dinner 60 30
Total 200 100%
Source: Field survey, 2022
From the table above, result shows that majority 90(45%) of respondents skipped
lunch during current pregnancy, 60(30%) of respondents skip dinner during current
pregnancy, 35(17.5%) of respondents skipped breakfast during current pregnancy,
15(7.5%) of respondents skipped snack during current pregnancy.
7
Total 200 100%
Source: Field survey, 2022
From the table above, result shows that majority 120(60%) of respondents do take
additional meal while 80(40%) of respondents do not take additional meal.
From the table above result shows that majority 95(47%) of respondents takes
three/more additional meal 70(35%) of respondents takes one more additional
meal, 35(17.5%) of respondents take two additional meal.
From the above, result shows the majority 170(85%) of respondents had habit of
eating snacks between meals while 30(15%) of respondents avoid the habit of
eating snacks between meals.
8
VARIABLES FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)
Yes 110 55
No 90 45
Total 200 100%
Source: Field survey, 2022
From the table above, result shows that majority 110(55%) of respondents eat
carbohydrate rich food daily while 90(45%) of respondents do not consume
carbohydrate rich foods daily.
From the table above, result shows that majority 120(60%) of respondents eat
protein rich foods daily while 80(40%) of respondents do not consume protein
foods daily.
9
From the table above, result show that majority 150(75%) of respondents eat fresh
vegetables daily while 50(25%) of respondents do not consume fresh vegetables
daily.
From the table above, result shows that majority 105(52.5%) of respondents eat
rich fruits daily while 95 (47.5%) of respondents to not consume rich fruits daily.
From the above, result shows that majority 140(70%) of respondents do always
check their weight during pregnancy while 60(30%) of respondents do always
check their weight during pregnancy.
10
with dietary practices in the community, 30(15%) of respondents said dietary
practices is a factor associated with dietary practices in the community, 20(10%) of
respondents said that dietary knowledge is a factor associated with dietary
practices in the community, 15(7.5%) of respondents said that history of illness is a
factor associated with dietary practices in the community, 12(6%) of respondents
said that occupation is a factor associated with dietary practices in the community,
10(5%) of respondents said that pervious delivery is a factor associated with
dietary practices in the community, 8(4%) of respondents said that obstetric score
(parity) is a factor associated with dietary practices in the community.
Figure 4.14, showing factors associated with dietary practices of the pegnant
women.
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
s s )
tice om
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n es dge
S ize tion ti on rity ver
y
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O
SECTION D: ATTITUDE OF MOTHERS TOWARD NUTRITION
DURING PREGNANCY IN UDABA COMMUNITY
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YES (%) NO (%)
Using salt to cook the main meal 20(10) 12(6) 200(100%)
Habit of eating fresh citrus fruits/juice 7(3.5) 5(2.5) 200(100%)
Habit of taking coffee or tea 5(2.5) 2(1) 200(100%)
Iron supply 3(1.5) 2(1) 200(100%)
Folic Acid supply 5(2.5) 2(1) 200(100%)
Frequency of meal per day 18(9) 4(2) 200(100%)
Habit of taking snacks between meals 15(7.5) 1(0.5) 200(100%)
Habit of eating carbohydrate between meal 4(2) 5(2.5) 200(100%)
Eating protein daily 6(3) 1(0.5) 200(100%)
Habit of eating fresh vegetables 14(7) 5(2.5) 200(100%)
Drinking milk 10(5) 3(1.5) 200(100%)
Eating milk product 9(4.5) 8(4) 200(100%)
Eating meat 15(7.5) 1(0.5) 200(100%)
Following weight 12(6) 6(3) 200(100%)
Total 143(71.5) 57(28.5) 200(100%)
Source: Field survey, 2022
From the table above, result shows that majority 143(71.5) of respondents attitude
towards nutrition during pregnancy in Udaba is positive while 57(28.5) of
respondents attitude towards nutrition during pregnancy in Udaba is negative.
12
SECTION E: DIETARY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PREGNANT WOMEN IN
UDABA.
13
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION O FINDINGS, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter deals with the discussion on the research findings, limitations of the
study, nursing implications, summary and conclusion, recommendations and
suggestion for further studies. These findings were discussed in relation to the
research questions.
The social-demographic data shows that majority of the respondents are within the
age range of 30-40 with 52.7%, 35 above with 22.5%, 25-29 with 20%, 24-24 with
17.5%. showing their marital status; majority o the respondent 60% are married,
20% are separated, 9% are widowed, 6% are housewives, 30% do other occupants,
and 20% are trades while 10% are farmers. On educational status; majority of the
respondents 45% did not attend any school, 20% attended higher institution, and
17.5% attended only secondary school, while 12.5% attended only primary school.
Also majority of the respondents 50% are Igala, other ethnics are 20%, 17% are
Igbo, while 13% are Yoruba. On religious status; majority of the respondents 57%
are Christian, 33% are Islam while 10% are traditional worshippers are shown in
the table.
Also, for the monthly income; majority o the respondents 60% have more than
70,000 while 40% have less than 30,000. Majority of the respondents 70% of
husbands are heads of the house while 30% of other respondents the heads of the
house. On husbands occupation; majority of the respondents 45% are merchant,
35% are employed, 10% are laborer while 5% have other occupations. On
monetary decision maker; majority of the respondents 60% are husbands 354% are
both husband/wife together, 4% have two family size, 35% have three family size.
On previous pregnancy; majority of the residents 70% had previous pregnancy of
3-5 while 30% had previous pregnancy of 0-2 while 10% had less than two. On
previous delivery; majority of the respondents 80% had a normal delivery while
20% had abnormal delivery. On pregnancy interval; majority of the respondents
14
40% had an interval less than two years, 37.5% had an interval of 3-5 while 17.5%
had an interval above five.
The result shows that majority 130(65%) of respondents avoid some food or diet in
their current pregnancy 90(45%) of respondents skipped lunch during current
pregnancy. Dietary practices among pregnant mother are influenced by maternal
knowledge. This is in line with other study by Rahmiwati (2015) the level of
nutritional knowledge has a significant relationship with nutrition status as
revealed in study on association of nutritional knowledge and attitude with dietary
practices and nutritional status of females in Nairobi City (Kinyua, 2013), Low age
among adolescents has been associated with low nutritional knowledge as well as
understanding of contemporary issues in the society (Lee, Park & Han, 2015). Low
nutritional knowledge was found to lead to poor dietary practice (AbuBaker,
2015). Nutritional knowledge had a high dietary diversity. A study in Sudan, titled;
Nutrition knowledge, attitude and dietary practices of adolescents and mothers of
different socioeconomic backgrounds in Khartoum locality, where mothers with
higher knowledge depicted better practices in terms of food choices and dietary
diversity (AbuBaker, 2015).
The result shows that majority 130(65%) of respondents avoid some food or diet in
their current pregnancy, majority 80(40%) of respondents avoid some diet due to
their culture, &5(37.5%) of respondents avoid some diet due to their religion,
20(10%) of respondents avoid some diet due to dislike/discomfort, 15(7.5%) of
respondents avoid some diet due to difficulty in labor while 10(5%) of respondents
avoid some diet due to possibility of delivering a big baby. From the table above,
result shows that majority 140 (70%) of respondents skipped meal during current
pregnancy while 60(30%) of respondents skipped meal during current pregnancy.
Majority 90 (45%) of respondents skipped lunch during current pregnancy, 60
(30%) of respondents skipped dinner during pregnancy, 35 (17.5%) of respondents
skipped breakfast during current pregnancy, 15(7.5%) of respondents skipped
15
snack during current pregnancy, majority 170(85%) of respondents had the habit of
eating snacks between meals while 30(15%) of respondents avoid the habit of
eating snacks between meals.
This is in line with other study by Abede (2014), pregnant mother should eat more
during meal times or eat small frequent meals. This is in addition or snacks
between meals. Fruits and vegetables should be plenty with adequate intake of
water every day (8 glasses or 1.5 liters). A lot of tea or coffee with meals should be
avoided so as not to interfere with meals should be avoided so as not to interfere
with iron absorption leading to anemia. No study dietary intakes and practices
among pregnant adolescents.
Micronutrients deficiencies like for folic and iodine have been found to affect the
fetus. Dietary practices influence the weight of the pregnant mother whereby the
low maternal weight of the mother and inadequate weight gain during the time
pregnancy lead to low birth weight and infants who are prone to prenatal mortality.
Expectant women, in their first trimester, should avoid having an empty stomach
so as to minimize the effects of nausea.
The result shows that majority 140(70%) of respondents do always check their
weight during pregnancy while 90(45%) of respondents do always check their
weight during pregnancy.
16
This is in line with other studies by Zelalem et al (2017) on effect of nutritional
education on pregnancy specific nutritional knowledge and healthy dietary practice
among pregnant women found that the number of meals related to the dietary
diversity, amount of energy and nutrients intake. In addition, the dietary diversity
influenced the intake of vitamins and minerals intake.
The consumption of fruits and vegetables was found to increase the intake of
vitamins and minerals especially vitamin A iron and Zinc. Also energy
consumption relates to weight addition rends during pregnancy. No specific study
has been found to document the effect of nutrition education on adolescents.
The amount of nutrients consumed has been found to influenced the morbidity
status of pregnant mothers. Good nutrient helps one to gain at least 12 kg during
pregnancy with an average of 1 kg weight gain per month. It is also important to
prevent anemia which is common. The physical and mental development of baby is
improved. It also decreases the chances of having a low birth weight baby,
premature delivery or a stillbirth (Abebe, 2014).
Research question 4: What are the factors related to eating behavior among
expectant mothers in Udaba community of Dekina Local Government Area?
The result shows that majority 45(22.5%) of respondent said that family size is a
factor associated with dietary practices in the community, 40(20%) of respondent
said that education is a factor associated with dietary practices in the community,
35(17.5%) of respondents said that the husband’s income is a factor associated
with dietary practices in the community, 20(10%) of respondents said that dietary
knowledge is a factor associated with dietary practices in the community, 15(7.6%)
of respondents said that occupation is a factor associated with dietary practices in
the community, 8(4%) o respondents said that obstetric score (parity) is a factor
associated with dietary practices in the community.
17
the nutrition status. In Addition, maternal nutrition knowledge affects the dietary
practices adopted. The dietary practices are defined in terms of number of meals,
dietary diversity score and amount of nutrients consumed. The dietary practices
together with the morbidity status are immediate determinants of nutrition status.
The main challenges the researcher encountered during the research include; lack
of time, lack of total cooperation from some of the respondents, and financial
constraints.
The following measures should be carried out by nurse and midwives to determine
the nutritional knowledge and practice among expectant mothers in Udaba
community in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
This study noted that the education level of the expectant mothers was poor. This
is because most of them no formal education and as such some of them were not
18
married. This consequently led to adoption of low profile careers like casual labor
and trading. This consequently resulted o low income which was barely enough
procure food.
The nutritional knowledge of these mothers was low. This is evidenced by the fact
that they failed to understand even the basic aspect of nutrition during pregnancy.
The low knowledge was attributed to low education level and poor health seeking
behavior. The low nutritional knowledge translated to poor decision making in
dietary practices.
This study reports poor dietary practices among the pregnant women in terms of
few number of meals consumed per day, low dietary diversity and infrequent
intake of key nutrients responsible for good nutrition during pregnancy. This is
contributed by poor nutritional knowledge and resulted to the high case of
underweight. The low nutrition status is detrimental to the health of pregnant
women. Determinants of Dietary practices among expectant mothers are education
level and income. In addition, the determinants of morbidity status among
expectant mothers are education level, income and dietary practices. The nutrition
status was found to be influenced by number of meals consumed, amount of
kilocalories consumed and morbidity status.
Nutritional status among expectant mothers is poor among the Udaba community.
The low nutritional status was associated with inadequate dietary intake and
frequent illness, the poor dietary practices were triggered by low education level as
well as low nutrition knowledge level which was in combination with lack of
adequate income to procure food. The low education level and low income led to
poor health seeking behavior and as such led to higher morbidly status among the
expectant mothers.
5.5 CONCLUSION
Most pregnant women in this study reported poor level of knowledge and practices
about nutrition and balanced diet during pregnancy. Monthly income, educational
level and attitude were the significant factor affecting nutritional knowledge of
mothers during pregnancy. Monthly income, husband education and occupation
were significant predicating factors for nutritional practices during pregnancy.
19
Good knowledge about maternal nutrition usually affects nutritional attitude during
pregnancy.
5.6 RECOMMENDATIONS
The researcher has the following recommendation based on the finding of the
study which are;
20
REFERENCES
Abebe, H., Abebe, et al (2021), Liu et al. (2021). Consumption of vitamin a rich
foods and dark adaption threshold of pregnant women at Damot Sore District,
Wolayita, southern Ethiopia, Ethiopin Journal of Health Sciences, 24(3), 219.
Doi:10.4314/ejihs.v24i3.5/WHO (2022)
Lee, S.Y., et al. (2020), Khan, S., et al 2020. Nutrition knowledge, attitude and
dietary practices of adolescents and mothers of different socioeconomic
backgrounds in Khartoum locality. Journal of Nutrition and Health, Vol. 53 Issue
3. And Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Vol. 52 Issue 7.
Al Dakhil, A.I., et al, Chung, H., al 2021. What makes pregnant workers sick:
why, when, where and how? Qualitative study of pregnant workers’ experiences
(Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Vol. 31, Issue 2)
Faridah, U., Machfoed, I., & Ernawati, S. (2018). The relationship between type of
occupation and Nutrition Status of 2 nd Trimester Pregnant Women in Mergangsan.
Jurnal Ners dan Kebidanan Indonesia, 5(3), 98-101
21
Brogan, K. (2019). The Role of Marital Status in Emotional Intelligence,
Happiness, Optimism and hope. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75 (1), 1-15.
Lee, S. O., Acharya, A., et al, & Cao, C., et al. (2021). Comparing Nutrition
Knowledge, Eating Habits and mental Health in college Journal of American
College Health Vol. 7, Issue 2
Naeeni, M.R., Lotfi, R., Farid, M., & Tizvir, A (2021). Can the modern methods of
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23
Grimard Catholic Collage of Nursing
Science,
P.M.B 1007,
Anyigba, Kogi state.
November, 2021.
Sir,
I am a final year student of the above named institution carrying out a research on
Nutritional Knowledge and Practice among Expectant Mothers in Udaba
Community of Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State . I am seeking your
permission to use some women your community for the study.
Yours sincerely
24
Grimard Catholic Collage of Nursing
Science,
P M B 1007,
Anyigba, Kogi State,
November,2021
Dear Respondent,
QUESTIONNAIRE
This research work is purely academic purpose and your response will be treated
confidential.
Yours sincerely
25
NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG EXPECTANT
MOTHERS IN UDABAH COMMUNITY OF DEKINA LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE.
1. Age
a. < 19 [ ] b)20-24 [ ] c) 25-29 [ ] d) 30-34 [ ] e)>35
[ ]
2. Ethnicity
a) Igala [ ] b) Igbo [ ] c) hausa [ ] d)Yoruba [ ] e)Others_____
3. Religion
a. Christianity [ ] b) Islam [ ] c) Traditional [ ]
4. Education status
a. No formal education [ ] b) primary [ ] c) Secondary [ ] d)Higher
institution [ ]
5. Occupation
a. House wife [ ] b) Civil servant [ ] c)Trading [ ] d) Other [ ]
7. Marital status
8. Head of household
a) 0-2 [ ] b) 3-5 [ ]
13. Parity
a. Abnormal [ ] b) Normal [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
27
18. What is your reason of avoiding a diet?
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
a. Yes [ ] b) No [ ]
28
SECTION C: FACTORS ASOCIATED WITH DIETARY PRACTICES OF
THE PREGNANT WOMEN IN UDABA COMMUNITY
Dietary practice [ ]
Husband income [ ]
History of illness [ ]
Dietary knowledge [ ]
Family size [ ]
Education [ ]
Husband education [ ]
Occupation [ ]
Previous delivery [ ]
29
Habit of eating carbohydrate between meals Yes [ ] No [ ]
30