Dietary Diversity and Micronutrient Adequacy of Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Asaba Specialist Hospital (Ash), Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: High quality and optimum Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is a proxy indicator for measuring nutrient adequacy because this  could facilitate a healthy child birth outcome.

Objectives: This research assessed the dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy of  pregnant women in Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Delta State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey which employed  convenience sampling of 382 pregnant women from Asaba Specialist Hospital. The respondents satisfied the inclusion criteria (across all  gestation periods). A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on sociodemographic attributes and a day 24-hour dietary recall  for micronutrient intake, adequacy and dietary diversity score. Using regression analysis, statistically significant effects (p<0.05) of age  and number of children on DDS were found

Results: Most (78.0%) of the pregnant women were married, under 30 years of age (74.1%),  educated to tertiary level (62.6%), and Christians (90.1%). The majority (79.0%) had a high dietary diversity score and most were found in  cereals and grains, with a mean DDS of 10.02±1.72. Micronutrients (Calcium, vitamin A, C, and folate) intake was inadequate. Vitamin A  and DDS had a weak positive correlation (r=.274, p<0.05), whereas vitamin B1, B2, and folate were negatively correlated with DDS (r =  -.261 and -.259, p<0.05) respectively.

Conclusion: Despite a high dietary diversity score, inadequacy of some key micronutrient intakes  such as folates and Vitamin A was identified among pregnant women. Maternal dietary habits and fetal health outcomes in this  population can be improved by nutritional interventions.