Effect of nutrition education on hemoglobin level in pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem globally with multiple causes including inadequate dietary intakes. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of nutrition education on nutritional knowledge, hemoglobin level and dietary intake of anemic pregnant women.Materials and methodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted among 115 mild to moderately anemic pregnant women attending ante natal clinics. Pregnant women were consecutively enrolled and assigned to receive nutrition education and diet plan in intervention group (n = 58) and general education only in control group (n = 57). The nutrition education was given to pregnant women on individual basis at the time of enrollment and follow-ups were done through biweekly phone calls and every 4 weeks during ANC visits. Baseline data were collected using semi-structure questionnaire for interview and hemoglobin level was also measured. Data were collected after 10 weeks of nutrition education intervention. Independent sample t-test was used to compare differences between the two groups.ResultsOut of 115 pregnant women enrolled, 107 completed the study (Intervention: 53; Control: 54). At the end of the nutrition education intervention and iron rich food based diet plan, the change in hemoglobin level was significantly high in the intervention over control group [0.56±0.40gm/dl vs. 0.16±0.82gm/dl, p = 0.002]. The change in the maternal nutritional knowledge score on anemia and iron rich foods was significantly high in the intervention over control group [8.26±4.57 vs. 1.05±6.59, p<0.001].Consumption of iron rich food was significantly high in the intervention group (P<0.05).ConclusionProvision of nutrition education and iron rich food based diet plan was significantly associated with improved hemoglobin levels, improved dietary intake and nutritional knowledge on anemia and iron rich foods.

Prevalence and factors associated with double and triple burden of malnutrition among mothers and children in Nepal: evidence from 2016 Nepal demographic and health survey

“…In the case of the mothers having with poor health and nutritional knowledge contribute to women being less sensitive to child and her nutritional status or less responsive to health and nutrition issues in terms of food choices and barriers such as food cost, accessibility, availability, lack of cooking skills [17,35]. As we found that DBM was more prevalent in mothers who had a lower level of education, therefore, providing nutrition education during pregnancy could bridge this nutritional knowledge gap in Nepal [36].…”

Prevalence and factors associated with double and triple burden of malnutrition among mothers and children in Nepal: evidence from 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey

“…In the case of the mother having poor health and nutritional knowledge, it leads to women being less sensitive to child and her nutritional status in terms of food choices and barriers such as food cost, accessibility, availability, lack of cooking skills [19]. As we found that DBM was more prevalent in mothers who had a lower level of education, therefore, providing nutrition education during pregnancy could bridge this nutritional knowledge gap in Nepal [40].…”

<p>Effect of Integrated Pictorial Handbook Education and Counseling on Improving Anemia Status, Knowledge, Food Intake, and Iron Tablet Compliance Among Anemic Pregnant Women in Indonesia: A Quasi-Experimental Study</p>

“…Similar results were reported in a quasi-experimental study done in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, showing that nutrition education emphasizing iron-rich food consumption was positively associated with improved hemoglobin levels. 29 A randomized study among pregnant women in Ghana indicated a significant positive relationship between dietary practices and improvement of hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. 30 Similarly, in a pre-test post-test study done at Kaengkhoi Hospital, Saraburi, Thailand, health education focused on participants' knowledge of iron deficiency anemia and compliance of pregnant women regarding iron supplementation, and mean hematocrit levels of pregnant women were significantly improved after 3 months of the intervention program.…”