Enhancing Nutritional Knowledge and Practices among Pregnant Women through A Health Promotion Program

Hemdan Hamed, Ghada; Mohammed Eltoukhi Ahmed, Noura; Ragab Ahmed Salama, Tasneem; Gad Alla Ali Abd Alla, Heba; Mohamed El-Sayed Atwa, Azza

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.442462

Enhancing Nutritional Knowledge and Practices among Pregnant Women through A Health Promotion Program

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ 1Assist Prof Maternity and Neonatal Health Nursing , Faculty of Nursing, Modern university for technology and information

² 2lecturer at Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing Faculty of Nursing Cairo University

³ 3Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University

⁴ 4Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

⁵ 5Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2023.442462

Abstract

In pregnant women, iron deficiency anemia, underweight, gestational diabetes, overweight, and obesity are among the most common nutritional issues that can lead to serious pregnancy consequences. Aim: To enhance nutritional knowledge and practices among pregnant women through a health promotion program. Design: This study employed a pre-post-test quasi-experimental research design. Setting: The study was conducted at Sohag University Hospitals' antenatal clinics. 400 pregnant women were chosen from the previously chosen settings as a convenient sample. Tools: Tool (I): A structured interviewing questionnaire and Tool (I): Pregnant women's reported nutritional practices. Results: Pregnant women most frequently cited health team personnel as their source of nutritional knowledge. The dietary knowledge of pregnant women before and after health promotion programs about iron deficiency anemia, underweight, gestational diabetes, overweight, and obesity differed in a highly statistically significant way. Prior to the implementation of the health promotion program, over three-quarters of pregnant women had unsatisfactory total practice scores regarding nutritional issues. After the program was implemented, the majority of them had adequate total practice scores. In conclusion, pregnant women's dietary knowledge and practice were improved by the health promotion program through which it was conducted. Recommendation: During the antenatal period, pregnant women should be informed through a health promotion program about nutritional issues in order to prevent difficulties and related issues.

Keywords