Educational program for pregnant women about nutritional stunting among children under two years old

Abstract

Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to stunted growth of their children. Aim: To evaluate the effect of an educational program for pregnant women about nutritional stunting among two years children at Sohag Governorate. Research design: Quasi-experimental research design. Setting: MCH centers at Sohag Governorate. Sample: 350 pregnant mothers. Tools: Tool (1): Included four parts: Part (1): Socio-demographic characteristics. Part (2): Obstetrical history of pregnant women, Part (3): Medical history of pregnant women. Part (4): Pregnant women's knowledge about nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and knowledge about nutritional stunting. Tool (2): Included child reported feeding practices. Results: 35.4 % of studied pregnant women were aged ≥ 30 years, 57.4% had secondary education, 86.0% were housewives and 48.0% of them at the low social class. Half of them had poor knowledge at pre-test with improvement in post-test. Also, high statistically significant differences of mothers' feeding practices in pre, post and follow-up. Conclusion: Health education program had a significant influence on increasing the knowledge and reported feeding practices of mothers related to their children. Recommendations: Further educational program about nutritional stunting for mothers in different settings to include larger sample size.