ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING MATERNAL NUTRITION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT GUNCHIRE PRIMARY HOSPITAL,GURAGE ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2020.

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is a fundamental pillar of human life, health and development throughout the entire life span. Especially Pregnancy is a time of increased energy and nutrient needs for a woman in order to meet the needs of the growing fetus and of maternal tissues associated with pregnancy. However, little has been explored about nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Gunchire primary Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Therefore; The study was conducted to describe the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women that will attend ANC at Gunchire primary Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of this research is to assess Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding maternal nutrition among pregnant women attending ANC at Gunchire primary Hospital southern Ethiopia, 2020.Methods and Materials: An Institutional based cross sectional study design was employed from December 1 to December 30 2020. Relevant data was collected from 201 pregnant women who are attending ANC at Gunchire primary Hospital, Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia. The data were collected by using a pretested interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed manually using manual calculator and the result was presented by tables and figures.Result: The data were analyzed manually using scientific calculator. This study revealed that among 201 pregnant women only 54(27%), 137(68%) and 64(32%) of pregnant women was knowledgeable, favorable attitude and good practices of nutrition during pregnancy respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: The knowledge, attitude and practices of nutrition during pregnancy were relatively low in the study area. The government and the concerned bodies should focus on education and to eradicate poverty.