Women Knowledge and practices on nutrition for pregnant women in the Bipemba health zone, Democratric Republic of the Congo.
Objective: Evaluate the women of childbearing age knowledge and practices on the diet of pregnant women in the Bipemba Health Zone, Kasaï Oriental Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional analytical study involving 240 women of childbearing age.
Results: Most women of childbearing age in our series (69.2%) have a primary education level. Their knowledge on the diet of pregnant women is mainly obtained at the prenatal consultation (ANC) where they would have heard about the diet of a pregnant woman (84.6%) and through the radio (15. 0%) or by another woman (14.6%).
Despite this information, the study reveals that only 9.6% have knowledge of a diversified diet during pregnancy. However, 97.1% believe and adhere to the food prohibitions which are countless in the industry.
Regarding dietary practices, no change in eating habits is made during pregnancy. However, there was a 10.8% change in dietary pattern during pregnancy for specific health problems (18.8). During pregnancy, the practices of lime consumption (63.7%) and alcohol consumption (13.7%) are noted in this environment while the minimum dietary diversity among women of childbearing age is not than 6.3%.
Conclusion: It appears necessary to promote the schooling of all children and especially young girls in this environment, to insert the nutrition module into the primary cycle curriculum and to develop actions to promote good feeding practices for children. women at the community level and health structures.
Keywords: Food, pregnant woman, knowledge, practice…
