Pattern of Malnutrition among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Service at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan

Abstract

Malnutrition among pregnant women is a pressing public health concern in sub‐Saharan Africa, including South Sudan. The prevalence of malnutrition is attributed to limited access to nutritious food, food insecurity, inadequate health care services, and the determinantal effects of armed conflicts and displacement. However, less or none is known about South Sudan. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine nutritional status and the related factors among pregnant women who attended antenatal care services in Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from September 01 to 30, 2023. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, anthropometrics, and clinical‐related information were collected using a prestructured interviewer‐administered questionnaire. The mid‐upper‐arm circumference tape was used to define the nutritional status of pregnant women. Epi Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 26 were utilized for data entry and statistical analysis, respectively. A total of 280 pregnant women were included with the response rate stood at 97%. More than half of pregnant women were 25–45 years old. More than half (56.4%) had acquired primary education, and 54.6% were unemployed. The prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women was 4.3%. Malnutrition was more in pregnant women with no formal education in the second trimester. However, this study indicated a statistically insignificant association between the prevalence of malnutrition in pregnant women and different factors of this study. Thus, the finding reveals the need of enhancing second‐trimester nutritional status by the institute health programming. A total of 280 pregnant women were included, with a response rate of 97%. More than half of pregnant women were 25–45 years old. More than half (56.4%) had acquired primary education, and 54.6% were unemployed. The prevalence of malnutrition was 4.3%. The malnutrition was higher in second‐trimester women with no formal education. However, the study found no statistically significant association between malnutrition prevalence and various factors. The finding highlights the importance of improving nutritional status during the second trimester through health programming at the institute.