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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Dietary practice and nutritional status of pregnant women in flood prone and non-flood prone communities in Rivers State
Authors
Nnenna Ali Emordi, Grace Chinyere Robinson Bassey, Folorunso Dipo Omisakin, Elizabeth Amini Okankwu
Abstract
This study investigated the dietary practice
and nutritional status of pregnant women in flood-prone and non-flood-prone
communities using a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study
specifically examined the dietary habits of pregnant women, assessed their
nutritional status, and explored the relationship between dietary practices and
nutritional indicators. The study was guided by two research questions and one
null hypothesis tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The population
consisted of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in selected primary
healthcare facilities, with a sample size of 400 respondents determined using
the Cochrane formula for sample size calculation. A multistage sampling
technique was employed to ensure proper representation of both flood-prone and
non-flood-prone communities. Data were collected using two structured
questionnaires titled “Dietary Practice Questionnaire” and “Nutritional Status
of Pregnant Women Questionnaire,” complemented with anthropometric and laboratory
measurements of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and haemoglobin levels. The
instruments were validated by experts, and the reliability of the questionnaire
was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding a coefficient of 0.86.
Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to answer the
research questions, while Chi-square analysis was employed to test the
hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that most pregnant
women had poor dietary practices, often consuming energy-dense but
nutrient-poor foods. The results showed that while about half of the
respondents had normal nutritional status based on MUAC, a large proportion
were nutritionally inadequate. The study also found high rates of anaemia,
particularly among women in flood-prone areas, although no significant
relationship was observed between dietary practices and haemoglobin levels.
Based on the findings, it was recommended that nutrition education should be
intensified during antenatal care, regular nutritional screening should be
conducted, and pregnant women should be encouraged to adopt balanced diets rich
in essential nutrients for better maternal and child health outcomes.
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Pages:121-127
How to cite this article:
Nnenna Ali Emordi, Grace Chinyere Robinson Bassey, Folorunso Dipo Omisakin, Elizabeth Amini Okankwu "Dietary practice and nutritional status of pregnant women in flood prone and non-flood prone communities in Rivers State". International Journal of Medical and Health Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 121-127
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