Abstract
Background: Pregnancy is a critical period marked by substantial physiological changes, necessitating optimal nutrition and lifestyle choices to ensure the health of both mother and child. Despite not being an illness, pregnancy introduces various health risks that can be mitigated through proper antenatal care (ANC). This study aims to evaluate the impact of antenatal care attendance on pregnant women's nutrition, knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP), and to identify the factors influencing these aspects.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at AlRazi primary health care center in Basrah . one hundred twinty two pregnant women in their first, second, and third trimesters, selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected, which covered socio-demographic characteristics, maternal and pregnancy-related information, medical profiles, and KAP regarding nutrition in pregnancy.
Results: The study included 122 women, with 55.7% aged between 20-29 years, 62.3% living in urban areas, and 96.7% being housewives. Knowledgeable participants constituted 54.9%, those with a favorable attitude were 50.8%, and those practicing adequately were 42.6%. Significant associations were found between knowledge and maternal education (p = 0.001), husband's education (p = 0.048), and gravidity (p = 0.004). Attitude was significantly associated with maternal education (p = 0.001), husband's occupation (p = 0.028), socioeconomic status (p = 0.005), and hemoglobin levels (p = 0.019).
Conclusions: The study highlights the critical role of antenatal care in enhancing pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding nutrition. Education and socioeconomic status significantly influence these factors
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