A study to assess knowledge and attitude of antenatal women about maternal nutrition attending a tertiary care centre

Background: Nutrition is the fundamental pillar of human life. All human beings need a balanced amount of nutrients for proper functioning of body system. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy has a negative impact on the pregnant mother as well as short and long term consequences on the newborn. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitude of antenatal women about maternal nutrition in pregnancy and highlights the need of interventions aimed at promoting awareness about healthy diet during pregnancy in association with various socio demographic factors. Methods: This study was conducted on 850 antenatal women attending the antenatal clinic of UISEMH, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India from August 2015 to February 2016. A 25 point- 10 minute questionnaire was designed to collect information about awareness and myths associated with nutrition in pregnancy from antenatal women. Results: Only 22 % of the women had good knowledge about nutrition during pregnancy and 82% showed willingness to acquire more information about maternal nutrition. Source of information for most pregnant women were immediate family members (41%). Most women were lacking in their knowledge about common local sources of nutrition, adequate weight gain during pregnancy and effects of over and under nutrition. Conclusions: There is need to impart more knowledge to pregnant women about nutrition in pregnancy. More attention should be paid on nutritional guidance among pregnant women especially in young and less well educated women for healthy outcome of mother and babies. This study emphasizes the importance of dietary counselling by attending doctors as an integral part of antenatal care.