Effectiveness of nutrition education on nutrient intake and pregnancy outcomes in Migori County, Western Kenya

Abstract

Maternal nutrition is critical as it lays fundamental foundation for the successful outcome of pregnancy. Kenya’s high rates of under nutrition among  women of reproductive age are due to sub-optimal feeding practices, inadequate nutrient intake and insufficient knowledge on nutritionally  adequate diets leading to poor pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed nutrient intakes and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant  women of about 22 weeks gestation exposed to a psycho-educational nutrition initiative in Migori County. A prospective cohort study design and  simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample of 150 pregnant women who were enrolled into the Intervention Study. Data was collected  using 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements and health records and was analysed by Nutri-Survey and SPSS and tested using t-tests  and regression model. The mean of macronutrient intakes at baseline were 1613±439 kcal for energy, protein 62.6±24.6 g, carbohydrates 245±7 g,  fat 41±2 g and after the intervention, mean energy intake was 2159±309 Kcal, protein 86±2 g, carbohydrates 312±6 g and fat 61±3 g. There was a  significant improvement in the intakes for all the macronutrients after four months exposure to the intervention. The mean micronutrient intakes by  the women at baseline were, vitamin A, 1255±2131 μg, folic acid, 197±7 μg, vitamin C 67±4 mg, calcium 300±141 mg, iron 115±3 mg and zinc  12±4 mg. The mean intakes after the intervention were, Vitamin A 1750±3560 μg, folic acid 249±7μg, vitamin C 90±6 mg, calcium 442±2 mg, iron  15±3 mg and zinc 16±4 mg. There was a significant increase in intake of all micronutrients after the intervention. Mean gestation age at recruitment  was 21 weeks, gestation age at delivery was 37.7 weeks. The mean birth weight was 3098±5 grams. Babies born before 37 weeks gestation were  32.6 % while 67.4 % were born at ≥37 weeks gestation. Coefficients of determination (R²) from the regression model showed that there were  positive significant effects of nutrition knowledge obtained from the psychoeducational initiative on nutrient intake after the intervention and on  pregnancy outcomes. The intervention had a significant effect on nutrient intake and pregnancy outcomes and should be strengthened in the  healthcare system to improve nutrition knowledge and dietary practices for enhanced nutrient intakes and pregnancy outcomes.