Assessment Of Iron, Vitamin A And Anthropometric Status Of Pregnant Women In Nsukka Local government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The assessment of iron, vitamin A and anthropometric status of pregnant women in

urban and rural communities in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State,

Nigeria was undertaken. Selection of the respondents was by random sampling

method. The respondents comprised of 129 pregnant women resident in Nsukka

urban and 257 pregnant women resident in Ede-Oballa and Okpuje (rural)

communities. Instruments used for data collection were questionnaire, anthropometric

measurements, biochemical analysis and food intake study. A validated structured

questionnaire was used to collect information on respondents’ socioeconomic and

obstetric characteristics and food consumption patterns. Anthropometric indices of

the respondents were collected by measuring the respondents’ height, weight and

mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). The respondents’ nutrient intakes were

assessed using 3-day weighed food intake method. Determinations of haemoglobin

concentration (Hb) and serum retinol concentration (SRC) were used to assess the

respondents’ iron and vitamin A status, respectively. The data collected were

analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 17).

Frequency distribution, percentage and mean were adopted for data analysis.

Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test was used to separate group means, and T-test and

analysis of variance were used to compare the means. Pearson’s correlation

coefficient was used to detect relationship between variables. The results showed that

mean height of the respondents was 161±5.36cm. A few (1.5%) of urban and 1.2% of

rural respondents had height 0.05). Negative correlation existed

between iron status and parity (r = – 0.281; P < 0.05). Women’s nutritional and health

status hinge on improved educational and economic empowerment. Women’s

education must therefore be highly prioritized and more income generating activities

provided for women to boost their spending on family food.