Factors Influencing Dietary Practices of Pregnant Women at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya

Worldwide, factors influencing maternal dietary practices has been a major issue of concern among pregnant women. This is because good dietary practices are important to the mother and the baby. Negative inappropriate dietary practices is one of the greatest challenges globally and in Kenya respectively. Inappropriate dietary practices may bring out several complications such as pre mature births, low birth weight and macrosomic babies among others. The current study therefore assessed the factors influencing dietary practices of pregnant women at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was used in the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 80 pregnant women attending ante natal clinic at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County. Data was harvested through questionnaires to assess the dietary practices as well as dietary diversity of the expectant mothers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, more so the use of percentages. The study indicates that more than half of the pregnant women attending antennal clinic at Njoro Sub County hospital had good dietary practices with 66.7% of the respondents consuming three meals a day with 13.3% having two meals. However, 20.0% of the pregnant mothers had one meal (others) daily. Moreover, a majority of the pregnant women attained women dietary diversity scores with 90% consuming more than 5 food groups (WDDS) with 10% not meeting the indicator of more than 5 food groups. Although starches were fairly consumed (chapatti at 33.3%, rice 56.7% and ugali 36.7% 2-4 times a week), animal proteins like chicken were less frequently taken. Additionally, vegetable and fruit intake was low (Managu/kunde 23.3%, spinach, 30%). The study recommends that pregnant women attending ante natal clinic at Njoro Sub County Hospital should be sensitized on the importance of balanced diet and encouraged to consume balanced meals three times a day. Furthermore, mothers should start kitchen gardening to enable them have diversified diets at a cheaper price. Secondly, the County government should establish policies and guidelines on diversity of diets and frequency of consumption to support mothers in maintaining appropriate and healthy dietary practices.