ABSTRACT

The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of the nutrient supplementation among women ofreproductive age in Micheal Okpara University ofAgriculture, Umudike, Abia state. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive study design. The target population were women aged 15-49 years in Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture, Umudike, Abia State ofwhich they were selected by multistage sampling technique. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire with options. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 20; The analysed data was presented as frequency tables, showsthatmajority (60.0%) ofthe respondents opinesthat nutrient supplements contain one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids and other substances). 17.78%, 12.78% and 7.78% of the respondents identified that nutrient supplements contains only one type of dietary ingredients, nutrient supplements contain on vitamins and nutrient supplements does not contain any dietary ingredients are the composition ofnutrients elements. The results shows that majority (67.7%) ofthe respondents identified that Nutrient supplements comes in differentforms including a pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid, 24.44% ofthe respondents identified that nutrient supplements come in only capsule form. Majority ofthe respondents also had good knowledge ofthe forms ofnutrient supplements as 67.78% ofthem indicated that Nutrient supplements comes in different forms including a pill, capsule, tabletpowder or liquid. The results shows that majority (67.78%) ofthe respondents indicated that dietary supplements improved the immune system ofwomen, 17.78% ofthe respondents opined that dietary supplements do not have any effect on immune system of women while 11 ;67% ofthe respondents . opined that dietary supplements reduce immune system ofwomen. With respect to attitude, 78.89% of the respondents take nutrient supplements only when they have health challenges. 50% of the women take nutrient supplements only prescribed by physicians. The study showed that 92.78% of the women indicated that do not take nutrient supplements ifthey are not at pregnancy stage. Also 30% ofthe respondents do not take nutrientsupplements at all while 6.67% ofthe women in the study area take nutrient supplements only for hair fall and skincare control. 80.56% ofthe respondents take nutrient supplements to boost immunity. Furthermore, 25.00%, 95.56% and 51.67% indicated the problems faced by women of child bearing age in the assess of nutrient supplements are non^ availability of the required nutrient supplements at the pharmacy , lack of information and side effects associated with some nutrient supplements respectively. Nutrient supplementation among women ofreproductive age in Micheal Okpara University ofAgriculture, Umudike, Abia state was constrained by factors such as high cost, forgetfulness, non-availability, lack of information and initial side effects. Based on these, the respondents recommended making the food supplements regularly available in pharmacies and drug stores, increasing the campaign on the types and relevance offood supplements for women of childbearing age as strategies that will help to improve access of women to Nutrient Supplements in the study area