Awareness and Practices on Diet, Weight Management and Antenatal Care among Rural Pregnant Women

Neonatal morbidity and mortality remains very high in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out at Sirajgonj district in Bangladesh to assess awareness and practice among rural pregnant women on diet, weight management as well as antenatal care. Face to face interview was carried out with structured questionnaire. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and written consent was taken prior to interview. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to present data. Mean±SD age of respondents was 25.31±5.10 years. More than half (55%) of the respondents completed primary level education. Most of the respondents were housewife. Mean±SD income of respondents was 10958.71±4282.89 BDT. Distribution of nuclear and joint family were 68% and 32%. Most of the respondents (82.6%) had good awareness on antenatal checkup. Good awareness on TT immunization, diet during pregnancy, weight management and place of delivery was observed among respondents but half of the respondents practiced it. No statistical significant association was found between occupation, family type, education, income and awareness on antenatal checkup. It is concluded from the study that overall awareness level on different arena of diet and antenatal care among respondents was quite acceptable but in terms of practice it was unsatisfactory.