NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN AHOADA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

The study investigated the nutritional knowledge of pregnant women in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Four research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 1380 and a sample size of 400 was used. The instrument for eliciting data was an adapted questionnaire. The reliability index of 0.76 was obtained using PPMCC. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Product for Service Solution version 23.0.There was a significant difference in the influence of age on nutritional knowledge among pregnant women in Ahoada Local Government Area of Rivers State (df=2, F=7.704, p<.05). There was also a significance influence of socio-economic status on nutritional knowledge among pregnant women in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State (df=3, F=5.430, p<.05). There was a significance influence of education on nutritional knowledge among pregnant women (df=3, F=25.279, p<.05). There was a significance difference on religious affiliation and nutritional knowledge of pregnant mothers (df=3, F=2.993, p<.05). Conclusively Educational level, age and socio-economic status influenced the knowledge of nutrition among pregnant mothers. Based on these results some recommendations were made such as: Health educators and nutritionists should be invited to give health talks to pregnant women during antenatal clinic emphasizing on the importance of good nutritional practices. Pregnant mothers should be advised by the health personnel to follow a dietary regimen putting into consideration adequate nutrients suitable for consumption.