ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of use of nutrient supplements among women of reproductive age in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State. This study was a cross-sectional survey used to assess the personal and socio-economic characteristics and anthropometric status of 255 women of reproductive age in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State was randomly selected. A multi-stage sampling techniques was used to select the study sample and respondent. In the first stage, Enugu North L.G.A. was purposefully selected as the study area. In the second stage, nine (9) wards out the 12 wards in Enugu North L.G.A. was randomly selected by balloting. In the next stage, 25 women of reproductive age were randomly selected from the ward to make a total of 225 sample size. The study revealed that the respondent were of different age range. Majority (48.6%) of the respondents were of 31-40 years of age while the minority (7%) were of 50 years and above. More than half (54.5%) of the respondent were Christians while the few (23.9%) of them were Islam. Most (60.8%) of the women of reproductive age were married while few (10.2%) were widows.  Most (72.5%) of the respondent has 1-3 household size while the least (7.2%) had 10 and above household size. Majority (59.2%) of the respondent had tertiary institutions while the minority (9.8%) had no formal education. Majority (46.3%) of the respondents were of the view that liver, chicken and beans provides the body with high protein while minority (12.2%) stated that nuts, cabbage, beans, pawpaw provides the body with least protein. Majority (76.5%) of the women of reproductive age said that they take dietary supplements while few (23.5%) of them does not take. The majority (39.2%) of the respondents opined that they take more mineral dietary supplements while few (8.2%) said they take protein supplement. Most (32.2%) of the respondents got their dietary supplements from pharmacies. Many (47.8%) of them said that doctor prescribe the dietary supplements for them while few did self-medication (2.5%). The nutritionist should provide health talks on adequate nutrition and healthy life style behavior such as physical activity and alcohol consumption are to be given significant consideration among women of reproductive age promote their health and reduce risk of disease