Dietary Behavior Among Pregnant Women at Dhaka City in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objective: To describe the dietary behavior among pregnant women at Dhaka in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the communities of Dhaka city with 207 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using two structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Significant factors were found in dietary behavior, such as who ate with family members, urban residence, history of previous abortion, and awareness regarding complications of low intake of food. Conclusion: The findings of this study would be contributed to the early identification of the factors and recommend taking necessary steps to promote the dietary behaviors of pregnant women. Through health education programs to create awareness regarding complications of low food intake and abortion of pregnant women, counseling the pregnant mothers who have low Hb%, underweight and obese, unusual smell and taste of food. Advise them to eat with family members, and provide more emphasis on rural pregnant women who have low levels of dietary behavior. In addition, the findings will be the sources of information for further research. Intervention research could be developed from these findings.