ABSTRACT

This study assessed the knowledge and practices of adequate nutrition among adolescent pregnant girls in Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA) Abia State. The study employed a descriptive survey study design. The sample size of this study comprised of four hundred and three (403) adolescent pregnant girls randomly selected in the s tudy area. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire was validated by lecturers in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Data collected was analyses using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage as well as presentation of results on tables and person correlation. The study found that; majority of the adolescent pregnant girls (39.0%) were within the age range of 10 to 14 years, 28.8%), majority of the respondents had just primary education, majority of the respondents (26.1%) worked as sales girls. The adolescent pregnant has poor feeding habit. The result also showed that poor knowledge of good nutrition exist among the adolescent pregnant girls; few (12.9%) of the respondents had an excellent knowledge of good nutrition, more of them (24.8) had a good knowledge of good nutrition while 42.2% of the respondents had a poor knowledge of good nutrition. Also the study found that majority of the respondents (47.9%, 46.4% and 31.0%) while (40.9% and 49.2 %,) practiced poor nutrition. There is a positive relationship (r=0.307, p<0.05) between knowledge of good nutrition and the practice of good nutrition. Considering the findings and conclusion of this study, it was recommended that nutritionists and other health professionals should emphasize on good nutrition, practice of good nutrition and food habits during adolescent pregnancy during antenatal clinic.