ABSTRACTIntroduction: Dietary practices among pregnant women from preconception through to lactation can influence the growth, development, and long-term health of the child as well as the health of the mother. It is expedient that pregnant women practice good nutrition to prevent the mother and child from experiencing negative health outcomes. …
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ABSTRACTIntroduction: Dietary practices among pregnant women from preconception through to lactation can influence the growth, development, and long-term health of the child as well as the health of the mother. It is expedient that pregnant women practice good nutrition to prevent the mother and child from experiencing negative health outcomes. Aim: This study determined the dietary practices and factors associated with dietary practices among pregnant women in the Sunyani Municipality of the Bono Region of Ghana. Methods: Pregnant women visiting prenatal clinics at the Municipal Hospital in Sunyani were studied using a cross-sectional study design and a quantitative technique. Convenience sampling technique was used to choose 398 pregnant women. The data gathered were analyzed using STATA Version 16. The association between socio-demographic, and community-based factors and dietary practices were determined using With a 95 percent confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05, Chi-Square Statistics and binary logistic regression were used. For clarity, the results will be given in tables and figures. Results: This study enlisted the participation of 398 pregnant women. According to the findings, the majority of pregnant women (89.00%) had a strong understanding of dietary patterns. . Majority (90.95%) of the pregnant women were engaged in poor dietary practices. Cereals were the most common food category consumed. The use of carbohydrate food by pregnant women was linked to good dietary diversification (AOR=2.36; [95% CI: 2.67-14.44]; p0.0001). Pregnant women who were self-employed were 66% less likely to engage in good dietary practices (OR=0.34; [95% CI: 0.14 – 0.80]; p = 0.014). Conclusion: In the research area, pregnant women's dietary diversity was found to be low. To improve women's dietary diversity, it is recommended that they receive maternal education, increase their household income, and have access to nutrition information.
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