Nutrients intake and nutritional awareness of pregnant women in Cairo Governorate

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess dietary intake and nutrients adequacy in pregnant women during 1[st] and 2[nd] trimester, and to investigate pregnant women nutritional knowledge and aiareness. A sample of 150 pregnant women [30-35] years old from five districts in Cairo have been investigated. Results showed that the mean daily intake of energy, protein and some nutrients were adequate as compared to Recommend Nutrient Intakes [RNI]. However, calcium, iron, foliate, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin A and D intakes, were inadequate for the majority of pregnant women during 1st and 2 trimester. The results indicated that 88.99%, 87.72%, 87.88% and 83.33% were illiterate [I], read and write [R], have secondary school [s] and university [u] degree respectively. Pregnant women had wrong information about proper foods in relation to pregnancy, while those who had correct information, about quantity of foods and nutrient contents of their diet were 3.03%of [s] and 8.33%of [u] educated ones. The study illustrated that 72.22%, 70.18%and 69.70%of [I], [R] and [S] educated level had wrong informations about the importance of dietary supplement of iron and folic acid, while 41.67%of [U] educated pregnant women had correct information. It was found that most of pregnant women had their knowledge about this subject from their family members. Results revealed that the awareness of the issue was very poor. The study suggest intensive nutrition education program to be conducted to improve dietary intakes in order to prevent risks for pregnancy out come