Assessment Of Vitamin A Rich Foods Among Pregnant Women

This paper aims to investigate assessment of vitamin a rich food among pregnant women.

The deficiency of Vitamin A is linked to substantial illness and death resulting from prevalent childhood infections. Moreso, it is the primary avoidable cause of blindness in children. Maternal mortality and adverse consequences of pregnancy and lactation are also attributable to Vitamin A inadequacy. The ability to combat infections is also adversely impacted by Vitamin A deficiency. Even the mildest form of subclinical deficiency may lead to respiratory and diarrheal infections, diminished growth rates, hindered bone development, and lower the chances of survival from severe illnesses (WHO, 2009).

The study was delimited to the following scope of the study. This study covers the assessment of Vitamin A rich foods among pregnant women.  The study will be conducted among pregnant women from selected regions in Nigeria. 20 pregnant women each will be selected from each of the six states, (Abuja, Gombe, Kano, Anambra, AkwaIbom, Lagos) that represent the six regions in Nigeria. Hence, the sample size for the study is 120.

In this study, data were collected from 20 pregnant women each will be selected from each of the six states by using questionnaires each respondent answered question according to his/her understanding towards the problem. 

As a result of the inability of the researcher to effectively study the whole population strength, a representative number was chosen as the sample size population, 120 respondents was used as the sample size. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through questionnaire and personal interviews with the respondents. Tables and simple percentage was used as technique of analyzing the research questions.

Findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the factors that influence consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria and the level of consumption. 

It is recommended based on this study that, to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency, nutrition and healthy planners should put more efforts in food fortification. specifically, of edible oil and promote consumption of diverse diets at the household level.