EXPLORING THE NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOOD HABITS OF LACTATING MOTHERS IN THE KUMASI MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT

For good health status of mother and child it is important that mother takes proper diet during lactating. It is only possible if the mother has proper knowledge about nutrition. In developing countries where resources and knowledge are limited more responsibility lies on the health personnel but more importantly on the mother. The general objective of the study was to explore the nutritional knowledge and dietary habit of lactating mothers in Kumasi municipality. The targeted participant groups for this study were mothers who have been going for postnatal care and 25 years of age or older. The recruitment process involved approaching hospitals and inviting them to participate. Those women who agreed to participate were given a consent form to read and sign. The research design used for this study was a survey method. Questionnaires with Likert scale were administered to respondents to collect their views on the study topic - to assess participant’s top dietary approaches to good nutrition; barriers to healthy eating and dietary habits. The findings revealed that lactating mothers are not aware of nutrients that are good for their health. The study recommended that education should be given to them to enable them eat the right food.