Prevalence of antenatal care use of food supplements during pregnancy and lactation and factors responsible for not taking them in Tarlai urban slum of Islamabad

The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of antenatal care, use of food supplements during pregnancy and lactation and factors responsible for not taking them in Tarlai, an urban slum of Islamabad. A Cross-sectional survey of 100 married women in the age range 15-45 years women utilizing and not utilizing antenatal care facilities during their previous pregnancy was carried out in April 2004. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and processed and analyzed by using SPPS 10.0. Use of supplements was found high in women attending antenatal care. Realization of the importance of taking a healthy diet during pregnancy was significantly higher among women utilizing antenatal care. In most of the women's the diet remain unchanged. 56% women attended the antenatal care clinics. Those not taking food supplements, 39% were non affording, 21%had no concept of their benefits, 36% did not like to take and 4% felt nausea and vomiting. Just over 50% women received antenatal care. Utilization of antenatal care showed a positive impact on awareness of taking food supplements during pregnancy and lactation

Comparative study of knowledge, attitude and practices among antenatal care facitities utilizing and non - utilizing women

To compare the knowledge, attitude and practices among antenatal care facilities utilizing and non-utilizing women, aged 15-49 years. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2003 and April 2004, including 200 married women in the age range 15-49 years. Knowledge, attitude and practices of women utilizing and not utilizing antenatal care facilities during their previous pregnancy were compared by calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. P values were obtained by doing chi-square test. Pallor was significantly lower among women utilizing antenatal care [57%] as compared to those who were not [77.6%]. [O.R 0.38 95% CI[0.18-0.81] p value 0.02]. Tetanus toxoid coverage was higher among women utilizing antenatal care [92%] compared to those who were not [59.2%] [O.R 10.8 95% CI[4.5-26.2]. Knowledge about danger signals in pregnancy and realization of the importance of eating a healthy diet during pregnancy was significantly higher among women utilizing antenatal care. Lesser prevalence of Anaemia and better tetanus toxoid coverage was seen among women attending antenatal care facilities.Identification of danger signals in pregnancy and recognition of nutritional demands of pregnancy are better understood by women utilizing antenatal care facilities