Assessing Nutritional Awareness: Maternal Health Outcomes

Maternal mortality rates and pregnancy complications are rising. Research to discover nutritional awareness among adults is vital in order to identify gaps that impact pregnancy outcomes. Purpose of this study was to assess the adults’ knowledge about nutritional impact on pregnancy, infant and maternal health. Poor nutrition during pregnancy is linked to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension and preterm delivery (Zhang et al, 2019). Expecting mothers without proper nutrition knowledge are unknowingly putting themselves and their unborn child at-risk (Das et al, 2018). Researchers hypothesized that nutritional knowledge is low among Georgia residents. A quantitative cross-sectional design study was employed using non-probability convenience sampling. An online survey was implemented between March 1-22, 2022 for residents, ages 18 and up. Descriptive and inferential statistics measured nutritional knowledge. Seven multiple choice questions and four demographic questions were asked. Nutritional questions were graded as correct/incorrect. Participants were males (n=100,20.9%), females (n=372, 77.7%) and 7 (1.5%) preferring not to state their gender. Most individuals (29.5%) were undergraduate students and Caucasian (n=301, 63.6%). Out of 499 participants, 59.3% identified folic acid as effective in reducing neural tube defects. Most participants (83.8%) incorrectly answered the safe amount for caffeine consumption. Only half of the participants knew that overweight women should gain less weight during pregnancy. Most participants (n=310, 62.1%) incorrectly stated that herbal supplements were safe for pregnant women. One-way ANOVAs were conducted on nutritional knowledge and demographics. Females possessed more nutritional pregnancy knowledge than males (p=0.000). Average age group scores for ages 31-40 (M=50.1587) and 41 years of age or older (M=45.2381) reported higher total nutritional knowledge. Results of this study revealed a substantial gap in nutrition-based knowledge surrounding pregnancy behaviors and outcomes. This data supports the need for implementation of nutrition educational programs and incentives in Georgia