ABSTRACT

Inadequate dietary intake during pregnancy is a primary proximate determinant of poor maternal and fetus health. Maternal dietary practices related information is useful for designing appropriate interventions. This study assessed the consumption pattern and dietary practices of 270 pregnant women selected using systematic sampling technique from five health care centres in obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on Socio-economic Status, Consumption pattern and dietary practices. Food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate the micro-nutrient intake of the pregnant women. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 20). The results Indicated that 74.8% of the pregnant women were of the age 18-35 y ears while (25.2%) were age 42 and above. Only 29.3% had tertiary education while 38.9% had secondary education. Civil servants were 45.9% while 21.1% were petty traders. Many (45.9%) fed three times daily. Majority (77.8%) did not skip meals, while only few (22.2) skipped meals because of no appetite. Many (35.9% and 30.4%) eat fruits and vegetables as snacks, where as (37.7 %) don't eat fruits 2-3 times in a week while few (5.6%) ate fruits daily. Forty eight percent of the respondent mostly consumes vitamin A rich food. Most of the respondent (63%) consumed folate weekly while (37%) of them rarely consumes folate. Majority (90%) of the respondents mostly consume vitamin B12 where as few (10%) of the respondents consumes zinc rich food (meat), while very few (7.4%) of them rarely consumes zincrich food. Many (48.1%) of the respondents consumes vitamin C rich food, where as most (51.9%) of them rarely consumes vitamin C rich food. In this findings, the consumption of food sources rich in micronutrient was high among pregnant women in the high reproductive age category than those of the low reproductive age. It was recommended that there is need to increase supply as well as equality of food consumed in the country through increased domestic food production. Food support programs was also recommended to educate and improve micronutrient intake ofthe pregnant women.