Abstract:
The assessment of iron, vitamin A and anthropometric status of pregnant women in urban and rural communities in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria was undertaken. Selection of the respondents was by random sampling method. The respondents comprised of 129 pregnant women resident in Nsukka urban and 257 pregnant women resident in Ede-Oballa and Okpuje (rural) communities. Instruments used for data collection were questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis and food intake study. A validated structured questionnaire was used to collect information on respondents’ socioeconomic and obstetric characteristics and food consumption patterns. Anthropometric indices of the respondents were collected by measuring the respondents’ height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). The respondents’ nutrient intakes were assessed using 3-day weighed food intake method. Determinations of haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and serum retinol concentration (SRC) were used to assess the respondents’ iron and vitamin A status, respectively. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 17). Frequency distribution, percentage and mean were adopted for data analysis. Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test was used to separate group means, and T-test and analysis of variance were used to compare the means. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to detect relationship between variables. The results showed that mean height of the respondents was 161±5.36cm. A few (1.5%) of urban and 1.2% of rural respondents had height <150cm. The mid-upper arm circumferences of all the respondents were normal (22.5cm and above). About 23% and 28.8% of the women had subnormal and excessive weight gain, respectively. Iron and vitamin A intakes of the respondents were respectively, 95.4% and 175.2% of FAO/WHO requirement values. The nutrient intakes of the respondents were mostly from plant sources. Half (50%) of urban and 58.9% of rural respondents had varying degrees of iron deficiency attributed to low consumption of animal foods which are sources of more bioavailable (haem-) iron. The mean Hb was 10.87±0.99g/dl. None of the respondents had vitamin A deficiency. A few (3.9%) of rural and 7.7% of urban women were at risk of vitamin A deficiency. The mean SRC was 50.48±9.71µg/dl. Iron status was influenced by age, occupation, education and income levels. The women below 20years had lower Hb (P < 0.05) as well as artisans, farmers and traders. Hb increased with increases in education and income levels (P < 0.05). Vitamin A status was influenced by income level. The medium income women had lower SRC than the high and low income women (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between iron and vitamin A status (r = 0.062; P > 0.05). Negative correlation existed between iron status and parity (r = – 0.281; P < 0.05). Women’s nutritional and health status hinge on improved educational and economic empowerment. Women’s education must therefore be highly prioritized and more income generating activities provided for women to boost their spending on family food.
