Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Practices Among Expectant Mothers
The relationship between a pregnant mother and her developing baby is multifaceted, encompassing everything from the mother’s diet to the baby’s movements felt within the womb. The nutritional intake of the developing baby significantly impacts its health at birth. For a pregnant woman to eat healthily, she must possess adequate knowledge of the nutritional components of food. However, mere knowledge without practical application is insufficient.
The primary aim of this study was to assess the nutritional knowledge and practices of pregnant women in Oviri-Okpe, Delta State. Due to logistical constraints, only two hundred and fifty expectant mothers were included in the study, as many hospitals lacked maternity services. The study delineated eight specific objectives, each with corresponding research questions and six hypotheses.
Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising three sections: personal information of respondents, fourteen questions on nutritional knowledge, and fourteen on nutritional practices. Responses regarding knowledge were recorded on a binary scale (Yes/No), while practices were evaluated on a three-point scale (“Practice Always”, “Do Not Practice”, “Practice Rarely”). Statistical analysis involved correlation analysis, percentage calculations, ANOVA, and multiple t-tests for paired comparisons.
The study’s findings indicated that all hypotheses were rejected. The mean percentage of respondents demonstrating knowledge of good nutrition was higher than those reporting regular practice. There was some correlation between respondents’ knowledge of nutrition and their actual nutritional practices. Factors such as education, age, and parity were found to influence both knowledge and practices related to nutrition among pregnant women.
Based on these results, several recommendations were proposed: (a) Health educators and nutritionists should conduct regular health talks for pregnant women during antenatal clinics. (b) Educational sessions should take into account the age, educational background, and parity of expectant mothers to enhance effectiveness.
This study underscores the importance of bridging the gap between nutritional knowledge and practical application among pregnant women, thereby promoting better health outcomes for both mother and baby.
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.7 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 CONCEPT OF NUTRITION
2.2 CONCEPT OF PREGNANCY (EXPECTANT)
2.3 NUTRITIONAL NEEDS AND KNOWLEDGE IN PREGNANCY
2.4 NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES IN PREGNANCY
2.5 EMPIRICAL STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AND PREGNANC
2.6 EMPIRICAL STUDIES ON THE ROLE OF NUTRITION
2.7 SUPPLEMENTS IN PREGNANCY
2.8 EFFECTS OF WEIGHT GAIN IN PREGNANCY
2.9 CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS IN PREGNANCY
2.10 SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.2 DESIGN OF THE STUDY
3.3 AREA OF STUDY
3.4 POPULATION OF THE STUDY
3.5 SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
3.6 INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION
3.7 VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT
3.8 RELIABILITY
3.9 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
3.9 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.2 SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS
CHAPTER FIVE
4.0 DISCUSSION , CONCLUSION , RECOMMENDATION
4.1 DISCUSSION
4.2 CONCLUSION
4.3 RECOMMENDATION
4.4 IMPLICATION OF THE STUDY
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE APPENDIX
The Title Page should be the first section of your project “Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Practices Among Expectant Mothers”, providing essential details like the project title, your name, your supervisor’s name, the institution, and the submission date. After that, the Abstract offers a brief summary of your project, touching on its purpose, methods, results, and conclusions in 150-300 words. The Acknowledgments section is where you can thank those who supported your research, such as your supervisor, peers, or organizations that provided resources.
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The main body of the Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Practices Among Expectant Mothers should start with the Introduction, which provides background information, outlines the research problem, states your objectives, and gives a brief overview of your research methods. Following that, the Literature Review offers an in-depth look at previous research relevant to your project, identifying gaps your study aims to address. The Methodology section then explains the research design, tools, and data collection methods you used to conduct the project and analyze the data.
In the Results and Discussion section, you present your findings and discuss them in relation to the Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Practices Among Expectant Mothers research questions or objectives, often using tables or charts to help explain the data. The Conclusion summarizes the key results, discusses their implications, and suggests possible directions for future research. You may also include recommendations based on your findings, offering practical advice for improvements or applications. Finally, the Assessment Of Nutritional Knowledge And Practices Among Expectant Mothers project should include a References or Bibliography section to list all the sources you cited, as well as Appendices for any additional material. A Statement of Originality is often included to confirm the authenticity of your work