Knowledge of Healthcare Professionals on the Use of Micronutrient and the Prevention of Micronutrient Malnutrition in Ibadan Nigeria

Abstract

Little is known about micronutrient use and the prevention of micronutrient malnutrition among healthcare professionals in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the general knowledge of healthcare professionals on the use micronutrients and determine the ability of healthcare professionals to prevent micronutrient malnutrition. Descriptive study was conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria on selected healthcare professionals. Data was analysed using chi square. First hypothesis on knowledge of micronutrient had a level of significance less than 0.05 (p<0.05); this implied that healthcare professionals are significantly knowledgeable about micronutrient. The second hypothesis determined prevention o f micronutrients malnutrition by healthcare professionals; had a level of significance less than 0.05 (p<0.05). The result implied that healthcare professionals are significantly able to prevent micronutrient malnutrition. More females participated compared to males because nurses were the largest number of healthcare professionals and they were mostly females.