Abstract

Malnutrition is closely linked to maternal and child deaths particularly in developing countries. The causes are linked to inadequate dietary intake and household food security. There is need to improve the nutritional status of women. A cohort of 30 postpartum women staying around Mbabane were offered Nutrition education (NE), however, prior to NE their nutrition KAP was assessed as well as post NE. Collaborations with Nutrition Council involved provision of NE materials and Mbabane Municipality trained some of the postpartum women as trainers on how to establish backyard gardens. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide with items on nutrition KAP. Responses on nutrition KAP were recorded based Likert scales and dietary recall.

On evaluation, scores on nutrition KAP pre and post NE were computed. In terms of mean scores, there was a 16% improvement in nutrition knowledge, 38% in nutrition attitudes and 13% in nutritional practices. The results showed that with adequate knowledge and support postpartum women are willing to improve their nutritional status and engage in livelihoods. Involvement of corporate agencies within communities can contribute to activities targeted at improving the health of women and community.

We recommend incorporating nutrition education in all maternal and child health services and linking this education to livelihoods through intersectoral collaboration. The mentee gained leadership skills mainly through the triad modelling the way and encouraging the heart (KP Model) while organizations realized the importance of collaboration.

Author Details

Nomvuzo Dlamini, BSN, RN, RM; Sakhile KS Masuku, MS, BSN, RN, RM; Oslinah Tugutanazvo, MSc, BACur, RGN, SCM

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Maternal Child Health, Leadership Developement, Nutrition, Food Security, Swaziland, Africa

Conference Name

Tau Lambda Conference 2015

Conference Host

Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Conference Year

2015

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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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The influence of nutrition education on maternal and child health of postpartum women in in the National Referral Hospital, Swaziland

Johannesburg, South Africa

Malnutrition is closely linked to maternal and child deaths particularly in developing countries. The causes are linked to inadequate dietary intake and household food security. There is need to improve the nutritional status of women. A cohort of 30 postpartum women staying around Mbabane were offered Nutrition education (NE), however, prior to NE their nutrition KAP was assessed as well as post NE. Collaborations with Nutrition Council involved provision of NE materials and Mbabane Municipality trained some of the postpartum women as trainers on how to establish backyard gardens. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide with items on nutrition KAP. Responses on nutrition KAP were recorded based Likert scales and dietary recall.

On evaluation, scores on nutrition KAP pre and post NE were computed. In terms of mean scores, there was a 16% improvement in nutrition knowledge, 38% in nutrition attitudes and 13% in nutritional practices. The results showed that with adequate knowledge and support postpartum women are willing to improve their nutritional status and engage in livelihoods. Involvement of corporate agencies within communities can contribute to activities targeted at improving the health of women and community.

We recommend incorporating nutrition education in all maternal and child health services and linking this education to livelihoods through intersectoral collaboration. The mentee gained leadership skills mainly through the triad modelling the way and encouraging the heart (KP Model) while organizations realized the importance of collaboration.