Assessment of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge and Practice Regarding a Healthy Diet

The period of pregnancy is one of the critical periods for the pregnant mother. during which the mother's nutrition and lifestyle greatly affect the health of the mother and the child and also the mother's nutrition during pregnancy affects the growth and potential development of the fetus and contributes to the maturity of a healthy child [1]. during pregnancy there are many superstitions throughout the world, especially in the developing countries like Sudan. Throughout the world pregnancy and lactation are considered vulnerable periods for both the mother and the child. this is Because of the nutritional requirements of the mother and the fetus [2]. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted based on a questionnaire that was distributed to expectant mothers in the outpatient clinics of Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Sudan, Khartoum State. We were able to distribute 120 questionnaires but only 80 of pregnant mothers agreed to fill it. we took in to account the psychological state of the pregnant woman, all of the participants were Sudanese, the ages ranged between more than 40 years less than 20 , most of them in first trimester , and all of them came to the hospital to follow up the pregnancy In the period from March 2019 to Aprille 2019 .

The Method: That was used is a descriptive analytical by means of a questionnaire distributed among pregnant women came to Omdurman Maternity Hospital in the outpatient clinics in the period from, March .2019 to Aprille 2019. the questionnaire was completed with all pregnant women who were satisfied to fill .the questionnaire, included the socio-demographic characteristics of the mother, as well as The information about the pregnant woman’s nutrition related concepts.

The Aim of this Study: The was to assess the pregnant knowledge about healthy diet during pregnancy.

The Specific Objectives: Thewas to evaluate nutritional concepts that among pregnant women attending outpatient clinics, Omdurman Maternity Hospital In the period from March. 2019 to Aprille 2019. This hospital was opened in 1957. and it is the largest obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Sudan . The hospital is considered one of the best hospitals in Africa. It is located in Omdurman, which is one of the largest cities in Sudan in terms of Sudanese density [3].

The Results: Excel was used to analyze the answers of 80 participants, and the result was that. Most of the participants (55%) were in the age (30-39) and in secondary education level (51.5%) And those who do not have a job were (73.75%). Also most of the pregnant women who participated in this study had a confirmed pregnancy between 4 to 6 times(46.25%) , And those who completed 24 weeks between 1 to 3 times were( 63.75%) , which is the highest percentage as the lowest number were women who completed their pregnancy for more than 24 weeks for more than 6 times. also most of the participants had abortion were (68.75%), also Most of the participants said that they know a healthy diet for pregnant women ( 77.5%), while some said they were not sure. and others said they did not know that (22.5%), most of the participants (53.75%) stated that healthy foods are more important for children than for mothers. In answering the beliefs about foods during pregnancy (43.75%) of the them said that they believe in some foods during pregnancy. Among the most widely believed foods were eggs (11.25%), hot spices (6.25%), fish, cold drinks and other foods (19.80%). And also (25%) of the participants reported that not receiving such advice. also (12.5%) of them receive advice from outside the health system . about (23,75%) of the participants were not aware of the folic acid important for pregnancy , And (23.75%) of them do not use it ,most of those who did not use it stated that the reason was economic . also most of pregnant women ( 45%) who participated in this questionnaire follow up with midwives followed by physician (23.5% ) , the rest (23.5%) are following the pregnancy with other parties .