Knowledge of Obesity and its Implications on the Reproductive Health Outcomes of young Female Adults (19-35years) in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health epidemic and a major public health concern globally with negative impact on reproductive health.
Objective: The study assessed the Knowledge of Obesity on Reproductive Health Outcomes of young Female Adults in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which involved 500 young female's adults who were systematically sampled. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to source information from participants. Knowledge of Health implications (HIs) of obesity was assessed on a 9point scale. Score lower or equal (≤3), was regarded as low knowledge while Score (≥4≤6), was regarded as average knowledge and those who score greater or equals (≥7≤9) are treated as excellent knowledge of HIs.Obesity was assessed using Body mass index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. A probability of P<0.05 was taken to indicate level of significance.
Result: Findings show that hospital, radio/television and school are the major sources of information about obesity by the respondents. The study shows that 50.2%of the participants perceived that obesity increase the risk of miscarriage, while 35.2%, irregular period, 35.2% infertility, and 42.0% cesarean section. Knowledge score of health implications of obesity revealed that only 5% had an excellent
knowledge, about 62.2% had average knowledge while 32.8% had low knowledge.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the health implication of obesity was low among the participants. Therefore, health enlightenment  programmes with emphasis on health implications of obesity for young adults is urgently needed.

Keywords: Obesity, Young Females, Health Implication, miscarriage