ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of women’s life circumstances
on their health and nutritional status. The study included women of reproductive age
(15 - 45 years old) and 74 women took part in the study.
Study-specific semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect dietary, socioeconomic,
demographic and workload data.
Urinary and random blood glucose determinations were used to test for the
prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The subjects had mean (± SD) random blood glucose
concentration of 87.01 ± 11.45ug/dL. None was identified to have diabetes mellitus.
Blood haemoglobin and serum iron determinations were used to test for anaemia. The
mean (± SD) blood haemoglobin and serum iron concentrations were respectively
11.41 ± 1.26 g/dL and 58.41 ± 19.22 |_ig/dL. About 60 % of the subjects were found
anaemic. Protein and vitamin A status were also assessed. The average serum total
protein was 9.14 ± 0.97 g/dL, mean serum albumin was 4.372 ± 6.400 g/dL and that of
serum retinol, 33.79 ± 9.74 p,g/dL. None of the subjects was found to be protein deficient
and the prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was about 11%.
Body mass index (BMI) for each subject was computed from the height and
weight measurements taken. The BMI values had a mean (+ SD) of
22.492 ± 4.100 kg/m2. Prevalence of underweight and obesity were 5% and 8%
respectively. Waist - hip ratios (WHR) were calculated from the measurements of waist
and hip circumferences. The mean (± SD) WHR was 0.859 ± 0.057. About 49% of the
subjects had WHR values > 0.85, indicating a risk of suffering from chronic diseases
ii
such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of
subjects were measured with an electronic sphygmomanometer. The mean values for the
systolic and diastolic blood pressures were respectively 109.635+ 11.355mmHg and
70.000 ± 8.365 mmHg. The prevalence of low blood pressure was 3% - 18% and that of
high blood pressure was about 1% - 5%.
The waist-hip ratio showed significant positive correlation with income (r = 0.35),
diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.32), systolic blood pressure (0.22) body mass index
(r = 0.32) and inverse correlation with education (r = -0.33). The body mass index
showed an association with serum retinol concentration (r = 0.41), systolic blood pressure
(r = 0.53), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.45), and education (r = -0.12). Blood
haemoglobin concentration also showed positive correlation with serum iron
concentration (r = 0.81) and education (r = 0.12). Serum albumin correlated significantly
with serum total proteins (r = 0.81).
From the main findings of this study, it could be concluded that with the
exception of the serum iron and blood haemoglobin statuses, the nutritional status of the
women of childbearing age were generally good. The waist-hip ratio and body mass
index measurements also indicated their nutritional status to be good.
Improving the level of education attained, and improving on the fanning
practice systems of the women would go a long way to enhance their nutrition and health
status.
BANSON, R (2021). A SURVEY OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF WOMEN AT OTINIBI, A PERI-URBAN COMMUNITY NEAR ACCRA. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/a-survey-of-the-nutritional-status-of-women-at-otinibi-a-peri-urban-community-near-accra
BANSON, RICHARD "A SURVEY OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF WOMEN AT OTINIBI, A PERI-URBAN COMMUNITY NEAR ACCRA" Afribary. Afribary, 31 Mar. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/a-survey-of-the-nutritional-status-of-women-at-otinibi-a-peri-urban-community-near-accra. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
BANSON, RICHARD . "A SURVEY OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF WOMEN AT OTINIBI, A PERI-URBAN COMMUNITY NEAR ACCRA". Afribary, Afribary, 31 Mar. 2021. Web. 14 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/a-survey-of-the-nutritional-status-of-women-at-otinibi-a-peri-urban-community-near-accra >.
BANSON, RICHARD . "A SURVEY OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF WOMEN AT OTINIBI, A PERI-URBAN COMMUNITY NEAR ACCRA" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 14, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/a-survey-of-the-nutritional-status-of-women-at-otinibi-a-peri-urban-community-near-accra