Effect of Nutritional Awareness Intervention for Pregnant Women on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Helmy, Asmaa Fares; Kassem, Inas Kassem Ali; Khalil, Amal KHalifa

doi:10.21608/menj.2023.345832

Effect of Nutritional Awareness Intervention for Pregnant Women on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Teacher at Menouf Secondary School for Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University

² Professor at Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University

³ Assistant Professor at Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University

10.21608/menj.2023.345832

Abstract

Good nutrition is essential for physical and mental development, performance improvement, and productivity throughout life. Healthy nutrition during pregnancy helps to maintain the normal growth and development of the fetus. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of nutritional awareness intervention for pregnant women on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Design: A quasi-experimental design (study and control groups) was utilized in implementing this study. Sample: A purposive sample of 180 women was chosen and randomly divided into two groups: study and control groups (90 for each group). Settings: This study was conducted at the (MCH) Shebin El-Kom (Quebly) and Bahari (MCH) Menouf City and obstetric clinics in Menouf General Hospital. Instruments of this study were a structured interview questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics of women, a women's knowledge assessment instrument; and a maternal and neonatal outcomes assessment instrument. Results: Total knowledge scores regarding healthy nutrition were highly improved after the implementation of nutritional intervention (100.0% good knowledge scores) than before (5.6% good knowledge scores), among the studied pregnant women. There was a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes after delivery. Conclusion: Pregnant women who received nutritional awareness intervention during pregnancy had higher knowledge scores after intervention than before, better maternal and neonatal outcomes than women who did not receive it. Recommendations: Continuous monitoring of pregnant women's nutritional knowledge is required during each antenatal visit.

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