Nutritional knowledge and dietary practices among pregnant women in Kenya are still way below the global estimates. This is according to a report that was released today by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in collaboration with Aga Khan University Hospital and Danone Nutrition at Crowne Plaza in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area.
According to Dr.Elizabeth Echoka, from the Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR) the need to carry the research was as a result of a gap that has always been there. Dr. Hellen Meme from KEMRI reiterated that “This report fills a gap that has been there in the maternal health.”
Nutritional needs during, before and after pregnancy have been limited with many mothers lacking knowledge in the same. This lack of knowledge has led to undernourished pregnant women which in turn leads to higher reproductive risks and birth defects among newborn babies and in extreme cases child mortality.
Gladys Mugambi of the Ministry of Health said, “Good nutrition is key in the development of a child.”
The majority of women lacked nutritional knowledge on the types of food to consume but were aware of the groups of food to be eaten and as a result, there is a similar trend in food consumption and as a result, some were consuming processed food.
Out of the 420 women that were interviewed 28.3% had Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) while the larger percentile having inadequate DDS.
Many of the women in urban areas, however, have access to different food products as opposed to those in rural areas.
KEMRI and its partners did, however, emphasize that micronutrients deficiencies remain a public health concern among women from diverse settings in Kenya. If unattended to, maternal health has the potential to turn into serious health challenges.