Effects of nutrition education and counseling intervention on maternal weight and obstetric outcomes among pregnant women of Gedeo Zone, Southern, Ethiopia: A cluster randomized control trial. Issue 1 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sisay, Gizaw; Tesfaye, Adane
• Is Part Of: Nutrition and health. Volume 29:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Nutrition education -- counseling -- low birth weight -- preterm -- Gedeo Zone; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1177/02601060211056745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-1060

Abstract

Background: Due to the scarcity of intervention trials, especially in Ethiopia, the effect of nutrition education and counseling intervention on pregnancy outcomes is not well studied.Aim: To assess the effect of nutrition education and counseling on the outcomes of pregnancy among pregnant mothers in public health care institutions of Gedeo Zone, Southern, Ethiopia.Methods: A cluster randomized control trial study design was undertaken. Simple random sampling followed by cluster sampling was used to reach eligible study participants. A total sample of 235 (115 intervention vs.120 control group) pregnant women who followed anti-natal care service in public health facilities of Gedeo Zone was included in the study. Independent t -test was used to analyze the group difference for continuous variable and chi-square test for categorical variables. The post-intervention values between the two groups were compared using analysis of covariance by adjusting to baseline variable.Results: After nutrition education, pregnant women in the control group had less weight gain than in the intervention. The proportion of LBW neonate was 17.8% in the intervention group and 38.2% in the control group ( P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of LBW in the control group was 2.43 more likely than in the intervention group (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: (1.2, 4.92)).Conclusion: Nutrition education delivered to pregnant women during pregnancy could reduce maternal malnutrition and low birth weight.Recommendation: The intervention is easy to implement in the health facilities of Gedeo zone and would be implemented without delay to achieve the sustainable development goals.