Determinants and Nutritional Behaviour of Pregnant Women in Riverine Communities of the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Abstract

Nutritional behaviour is shaped by individual situations and circumstances, and poor dietary intake has remained a public health concern with its associated occurrence of preventable diseases. While previous studies have explored nutritional behaviour on pregnant women especially in urban centres, there are very little known studies on nutritional behaviour among pregnant women in riverine communities in Nigeria. Based on this gap, this study examined the determinants and patterns of nutritional behaviour of pregnant women in riverine communities of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Anchoring the study on the theory of Planned Behaviour, a cross-sectional design was adopted with a sample size of 384 pregnant women, selected through the use of respondent-driven sampling technique. The primary data was sourced through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used as analytical tools at p<0.05. Findings from the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 30.2±6.05 years. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents jointly determined the consumption of ideal dietary intake (F=38.022_(7, 376); Adj. R²=0.414), while age (β=0.462; t =7.056), religion (β=-0.117; t=-2.184), Ijo linguistic group (β=-0.121;  t=-2.516), educational level (β=0.651; t=9.013), income level (β=-0.158; t =-2.528) and occupation (β =-0.225; t =-4.100) of the respondents independently predicted the consumption of ideal diet during pregnancy. It was therefore recommended that urgent intervention be embarked upon by the government among the riverine communities of the Niger Delta Region to ensure that pregnant women in these communities have access to supplements needed during pregnancy.