Contents of nutrition care services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic: An Exit interview

Background Focused antenatal care currently implemented in Tanzania recommends that women receive nutrition care during routine clinic visits. However, little detail is documented in regard to the nutrition information provided to pregnant women during these visits. The present study aimed to investigate whether pregnant women recalled nutrition information or support provided and, if so, who provided this during routine antenatal clinic visits. The secondary aim was to determine how pregnant women intended to implement the information and what mode of delivery was preferred for receiving nutrition information. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional study comprising exit interviews was conducted with 50 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in three regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Results All participants (n = 50) reported receiving nutrition care from healthcare workers in regard to; haemoglobin checks (79% of participants), iron and folic acid supplementation (70%), weight measurement (70%), eating advice (60%), and dietary intake assessment (38%). However, the information recalled on each category was inconsistent. For 60% of participants, nurses were reported as the source of nutrition care during pregnancy, followed by medical doctors (22%). The most preferable mode for receiving nutrition information was reported as individual face-to-face sessions with health practitioners, followed by mobile phone. All of the participants who received nutrition information indicated that they intended to implement. Conclusions Nurses were the main source of nutrition information for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, followed by medical doctors. However, the content of nutrition information recalled by participants was inconsistent. Healthcare facilities need to implement strategies to ensure pregnant women understand and can implement nutrition information provided by healthcare workers during routine antenatal care.

Automated summary

The study found that nurses were the main source of nutrition information for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, followed by medical doctors. However, participants' recall of nutrition information in each category was inconsistent. The majority of pregnant women preferred individual face-to-face sessions with health practitioners as the mode for receiving nutrition information.