Nutritional Status and Health Seeking Behaviour of Pregnant Women in Awutu Senya West District of Ghana

Abstract

This research set out to achieve three objectives: (a) assess the knowledge of pregnant women in the Awutu Senya West District in maternal nutrition, (b) determine the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Awutu Senya West District, and (c) assess health seeking behaviours of pregnant women the Awutu Senya West District. Using a descriptive research design, the study gathered data from 86 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, representing a sample size determined using Krejcie and Morgan's sample size determination table. Questionnaires adapted from previous research were used for data collection, and the instruments were pilot-tested on the participants. The responses were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. From the analysis, the key findings were that while most respondents had a good understanding of maternal nutrition, including balanced diets and nutrient requirements, there were areas for improvement. Additionally, anthropometric assessments revealed a concerning trend of overweight pregnancies, with a mean maternal BMI in the overweight category. Finally, clinical assessments revealed symptoms like lack of appetite, weakness, abnormal vitals, and breathing difficulties, emphasizing the need for comprehensive prenatal care. Based on the findings, the study recommends continued nutrition education and awareness campaigns for pregnant women to enable informed choices regarding their diet and overall health during pregnancy. These findings have implications for planning interventions aimed at optimising the nutritional status of pregnant women and promoting the health of both mother and baby.