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Nutritional Health Knowledge and Literacy among Pregnant Women in the Czech Republic: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Klára Papežová

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
    Department of Social Medicine, Department of Social and Assesment Medicine, Charles University, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic)

  • Zlata Kapounová

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Veronika Zelenková

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Abanoub Riad

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
    Czech National Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare and Knowledge Translation (Cochrane Czech Republic, Czech EBHC: JBI Centre of Excellence, Masaryk University GRADE Centre), Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Adequate nutrition and the nutritional status of pregnant women are critical for the health of both the mother and the developing foetus. Research has shown a significant impact of nutrition on the child’s health and the future risk of developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. There is currently no data on the level of nutritional knowledge of Czech pregnant women. This survey aimed to evaluate their level of nutritional knowledge and literacy. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in two healthcare facilities in Prague and Pilsen between April and June 2022. An anonymous self-administered paper-form questionnaire for assessing the level of nutritional knowledge (40 items) and the Likert scale for assessing nutrition literacy (5 items) were used. A total number of 401 women completed the questionnaire. An individual’s nutritional knowledge score was calculated and compared with demographic and anamnestic characteristics using statistical methods. The results showed that only 5% of women achieved an overall nutritional score of 80% or more. University education ( p < 0.001), living in the capital city ( p < 0.001), experiencing first pregnancy ( p = 0.041), having normal weight and being overweight ( p = 0.024), and having NCDs ( p = 0.044) were statistically significantly associated with a higher nutritional knowledge score. The lowest knowledge scores were found in the areas of optimal energy intake, optimal weight gain, and the role of micronutrients in diet during pregnancy. In conclusion, the study shows limited nutrition knowledge of Czech pregnant women in some areas of nutrition. Increasing nutritional knowledge and nutrition literacy in Czech pregnant women is crucial for supporting their optimal course of pregnancy and the future health of their offspring.

Suggested Citation

  • Klára Papežová & Zlata Kapounová & Veronika Zelenková & Abanoub Riad, 2023. "Nutritional Health Knowledge and Literacy among Pregnant Women in the Czech Republic: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:3931-:d:1077314
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anja Oechsle & Michel Wensing & Charlotte Ullrich & Manuela Bombana, 2020. "Health Knowledge of Lifestyle-Related Risks during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Pregnant Women in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Li-Tung Huang, 2020. "Maternal and Early-Life Nutrition and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-4, October.
    3. Abanoub Riad & Anna Jouzová & Batuhan Üstün & Eliška Lagová & Lukáš Hruban & Petr Janků & Andrea Pokorná & Jitka Klugarová & Michal Koščík & Miloslav Klugar, 2021. "COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance of Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) in Czechia: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-24, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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