1.1 Introduction
Undernutrition during pregnancy refers to the insufficient intake of energy and nutrients to meet an individual’s needs to maintain good health (Ahmed et al., 2009). The nutritional status of women during pregnancy may be based on the accessibility and availability of nutritional reserves, which include stores of some special micronutrients (Gebreyesus et al., 2015). Nutritional deficiencies and other insults transmitted through the mother to the embryo or fetus. The most critical time for these problems to happen is during the first trimester. Most miscarriages occur at this time. Currently, about one-half or more of all pregnancies either fail to attach to the uterine wall or undergo spontaneous abortions, often so early that a woman does not even realize she was pregnant. The early spontaneous abortions usually result from a genetic defect or fetal error in fetal development (Stuart, et al., 2003).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Expectant and nursing mothers, infants and children constitute the most vulnerable segments of a population from the nutritional standpoint. In any consideration of the problem of malnutrition,' these segments require special consideration, as this unfortunate nutritional situation is prevalent in many under-developed countries today. Pregnancy constitutes states of considerable physiological stress which impose increase nutritional demands (Gopalan, 2000).
Pregnancy deserves planning because many practices or conditions of the mother that harm the developing fetus are modifiable, such as the following: Alcohol consumption, Use of certain medications, such as heavy use of aspirin, Use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine or marijuana, Job-related hazards and stresses, Smoking, Inadequate diet, such as too little iron, zinc, and synthetic folic acid, Excess vitamin A intake and mega dose use of other nutrient supplements, Heavy caffeine use, Lack of medical treatment with HIV -positive status or AIDS, Poor control of ongoing diabetes or hypertension (ADA Reports, 2000). Many pregnant women experience nutritional problems, especially malnutrition such as a chronic energy deficiency (Blondin & LoGiudice, 2018). Chronic energy deficiency (CED) is one of the causes of increased mortality in mothers (Bhutta et al., 2008). Many factors affect the incidence of CED, one of which is a less diverse diet and fewer portions (Rubina Shaheen, 2016).
Chakona & Shackleton (2019) stated that the causes of a lack of variety in food intake consumed by mothers included the taboo culture of food. In some regions in Indonesia there are still many pregnant women who adhere to the belief in abstinence from consuming certain types of food that are required during pregnancy (Triharini, Nursalam, et al., 2018).
Reduced maternal nutrition was shown to have an association with different negative health effects at birth, including intrauterine growth retardation, which significantly upsurges the risk of newborn deaths, Low Birth Weight (LBW), (PTB), and stunting (Nachvak et al., 2017). Various studies have demonstrated that an adequate nutritional intake during pregnancy has a special role in fetal growth and improved nutritional status of a mother (Kennedy et al., 2009). To guarantee adequate nutrient consumption, dietary variation is one of the best recommended strategies, predominantly among pregnant women, since their nutritional demand is greater than before (WHO, 2015).
A significant level of several deficiencies of micronutrients, underweight, early stunting, and wasting are key malnutrition correlated features suggesting the degree and seriousness of nutritional difficulties in the country. Again the encumbrance of adverse perinatal outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm, and stillbirth are also common conditions in Ethiopia (WHO, 2016). Current findings recommend that adequate nutrition reduces the risk of contracting chronic medical illnesses later in life. As physiology demands, during pregnancy and breast-feeding, the suggested intake of different nutrition in the diet should increase (Bhutta et al., 2013).
Even without fanfare, the child-to-be grows and develops daily. For that reason, the health and nutrition habits of a woman who is trying to become pregnant or has the potential to become, pregnant are particularly important. Although some aspects of fetal and newborn health are beyond control, a woman's conscious decisions about Social, health, and nutritional factors affect her infant's health and future. Much research suggests that an adequate vitamin and mineral intake at least 8 weeks before conception and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects such as neural lube defects. This problem has been Iinked-in part to a foliate deficiency.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Factor Responsible for Undernutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the events of pregnancy with birth provide the foundation on which all child development is built, this events of prenatal development that transform sperm into a living, breathing human being which is a biological and social reality in the existent of man. Food and nutrition problems are often difficult to solve because of the multitude of factors in their aetiology and maintenance. Under-nutrition is a result of inadequate food intake and disease.
A child who consumes a good diet but who frequently suffers from diarrhoea or fever most likely becomes undernourished. Thus, disease is the immediate causes of under-nutrition (UNICEF, 1998). Poor diet and disease, in turn, are caused by food insecurity, as well as inadequate maternal and child health care. The distant causes are social structures and institutions, political systems and ideology, economic distribution, and potential resources (UNICEF, 1998).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Factor Responsible for Undernutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the diet and lifestyle habit contribute to a successful pregnancy outcome among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic;
- To assess the changes that occurs in the body during pregnancy and the nutrient needed among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic;
- To plan an adequate balanced diet for the pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic;
- To find out the role of nutrition in pregnancy in the area under review; and
- To examine the factors instigating undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in the area under review.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors instigating undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in the area under review?
- What are the changes that occur in the body during pregnancy and the nutrient needed?
- What are the roles of nutrition in pregnancy in the area under review?
- What is the balanced diet recommended for pregnant women?
- What is the diet and lifestyle habit contributes to a successful pregnancy outcome?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant maternal nutrition affect the condition of the infant at birth and the neonatal period
- H1: There is a significant maternal nutrition affect the condition of the infant at birth and the neonatal period
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no significant factors instigating undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in the area under review
- H1: There are significant factors instigating undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in the area under review
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings will lead to the understanding of the factors that promote successful pregnancy outcome and the extent to which these factors contribute to the welfare of the infants, it will also trace the events of prenatal development that transform sperm and egg into a living breathing human begin. Base on this, the medical institution will derive very useful benefit from the findings of this study and available recommendations will be made.
Secondly, this study will show an insight to the limiting factors which act as nutritional deficiency to infants' development and health. The study also highlights the importance of nutrition in pregnancy and how it leads to successful delivery.
Finally, this research work will help to generally contribute to existing literature work on nutrition in pregnancy.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Factor Responsible for Undernutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Nutrition: The process by which living things receive the food necessary for them to grow and be healthy.
Pregnancy: The state of being pregnant of a woman or female animal having a baby or young animal developing inside her or its body.
Implication: A possible effect or result of an action or a decision.
