ABSTRACT

285 pregnant voinen \VI1() attended antcnatal It the traditional birth attendant hone were taste in the study. A structured well validated questionnaire was used to determine the demographic data, socioeconomic status, nutritional knowledge and dietary intake. Riochemical analysis was (lone to determine their 1)100(1 percentage level, serum iron level, malaria parasite and stool analysis. Results obtained showed that 36.8% were from the north zone, 33.0% from central and 30.29% were from the south zone. 44.6% falls within the age bracket of 18-25 years, 93.3% were married whi1e4.6% and 2.1% were separated women. 54.3% had family size of(5-7), 32.6% had (2-4) and 13.1% had (8-10) family sizes. Majority of the respondents were multigravid women while only few (3.5%) were prirnigravida. Most of the respondents (64.6%) were in their third trimester while 35.4% were in their second trimester. Most of the pregnant mothers studied had no knowledge of adequate nutrition as their responses to nutrition knowledge was not correct. This suggests lack of nutrition education on the study population and need for nutrition and health education. The body mass index (BMI), haernoglobin (Nb) and serum iron level (SI) of the respondents were determined. About 1.1% were severely malnourished with flMl<lSkg/m2. Sixty-six percent (66%) were moderately malnourished with UMI of 19-20kg/rn2. Others 21-24kg/rn2 (57.9%) and 25-27kg/rn2(13.3%) >27kg/rn2were normal, overweight and obese respectively. 27.7% of the mothers were moderately anaernic with I-lb (7.0-9.9g/dl), 39.2% were mildly anaemic I-lb (10-lo.9g/dl) and only 7 (2.5%) mothers were severely anaeinic (Hb <7g/dl). The mean serum iron of the respondents was 20.39. This falls within the normal range and (1.1%) were iron deficient, 92,5% were normal (9.0-30.4i.imol/l) and 6.3% had excess iron (>30.4jimol/l). Occupation and malaria parasite were the only factors that significantly (P<0.05) influenced prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency and underweight.