Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 9 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 215-220
Pre-Conception Nutrition Knowledge and Attitudes among Female Undergraduate Students at Kenyatta University, Kenya
Grace Waweru1, Dr. Peter Chege2, Dr. Eunice Njogu3
1Post graduate Student, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Kenya, P.O BOX 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
2Senior Lecturer, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Kenya, P.O BOX 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
3Lecturer, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Kenya, P.O BOX 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Corresponding Author: Grace Waweru
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pre-conception nutrition is a key determinant of the pregnancy outcome and the health of a newborn. Nutrition knowledge and attitude are known to influence dietary practices. However, in Kenya, pre-conception nutrition information is scanty and there is concern that women put little consideration into their pre-conception nutrition status. This study aimed to establish the pre-conception nutrition knowledge and attitudesamong female undergraduate students at Kenyatta University, Kenya
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional analytical design involving sample of 422 female undergraduate students randomly selected from Kenyatta University. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect respondents’ information. Pre-conception nutrition knowledge was determined based on nutrition knowledge scores while attitude were measured using a five point likert scale. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: The study results showed that close to half (45.9%) of the participants had low pre-conception nutrition knowledge while majority exhibited a positive attitude towards pre-conception nutrition (99%).
Conclusion: The present study reveals that the participants of the study had low level of knowledge on pre-conception nutrition. Female students taking health related courses had higher pre-conception nutrition knowledge compared to their counterparts in other courses. Institutions of higher learning should come up with common courses in nutrition for undergraduate students especially where nutrition is not taught directly or indirectly.
Key words: Pre-conception nutrition, female students, pre-conception nutrition knowledge, pre-conception nutrition attitudes.