KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND USE OF MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN SOME SELECTED HEALTH FACILTIES IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

📄 Project Abstract

The nutritional status of a woman before and during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome. However nutritional deficiencies are widely prevalent globally and contribute significantly to high rates of morbidity and mortality among mothers, infants and children in developing countries. More than one third of child deaths in some developing countries are thought to be attributable to maternal and child under nutrition (Black, Allen, Bhutta, Caulfield, de Onis, Ezzati, et al, 2008). The prevalence of maternal undernutrition - that is, a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m2 - ranges from 10 to 19% in most countries with more than 20% of women in sub-Saharan Africa, South central and Southeastern Asia, and Yemen reported to have a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m2 (Thirukkanesh & Zahara, 2010) . This scenario has adverse effects on pregnancy outcome and increases the risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Maternal malnutrition occur more in pregnancy because nutrient needs...