DIETARY KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AREA, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Knowledge gaps can directly influence poor dietary choices, which in turn affect maternal and fetal health outcomes. This study compared dietary knowledge, practices, and nutritional status of pregnant women in urban and rural areas of Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined their socioeconomic status, level of dietary knowledge, dietary practices, fruit and vegetable consumption patterns, anthropometric indices (height, weight, body mass index), and the relationship between socioeconomic status and anthropometric indices. A total of 400 pregnant mothers aged 25–40 years were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on dietary knowledge, practices, anthropometric status, and food consumption patterns. Descriptive statistics such as bar charts were used to summary data, while Pearson’s product moment correlation established relationships between anthropometric status and socioeconomic factors, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.Results revealed that a majority (67.0%) of urban respondents had tertiary education compared to only 20.5% in rural areas. Most urban respondents (92.5%) demonstrated high dietary knowledge, while only 9.5% of rural respondents did. Dietary practices also differed: 75% of urban respondents often consumed balanced diets compared to 12% in rural areas, and 76.5% of urban respondents ate a variety of foods often compared to 23% in rural areas. Half (50%) of urban respondents consumed green vegetables weekly, while only 24% did so in rural areas. Similarly, 40% of urban respondents consumed fruits regularly compared to 15.5% in rural areas. Anthropometric findings showed that 49.5% of rural respondents were overweight compared to 40% in urban areas. A significant relationship was observed between highest educational qualification and BMI among both urban and rural respondents. The study concludes that pregnant mothers in urban areas had better dietary knowledge, practices, and nutritional status than their rural counterparts. It recommends urgent nutrition education interventions, particularly in rural communities, through strategies such as community-based workshops and nutrition programs to improve dietary practices and maternal health outcomes.