Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

Background: Improving nutritional knowledge, dietary practices, and perceived dietary behavior during pregnancy are paramount in ensuring appropriate food intake of women while being pregnant. Aim of work: improved nutritional status of the pregnant women attending ANC* clinic of NDHC**. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among a non-random sample of pregnant women (totaled 120) in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters with at least one previous ANC visit to NDHC. Analysis of the 24-hour recall of dietary intake was done for a sample of the study women; n.=40. Data was collected using an exit interview questionnaire and three in-depth interviews with the available ANC physicians. Results: The study women had a rather good level of nutritional knowledge during pregnancy. Minority of the study women perceived their nutrition during current pregnancy as good, while most of them perceived a potential to improve their nutrition during current pregnancy. Perception of own nutrition during current pregnancy was influenced significantly by the nutritional knowledge level; p{u2264}0.05. Economic barriers, nutritional ignorance, and personal dietary habits were generally perceived as main factors behind inappropriate nutritional practices during pregnancy

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