Publications

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of malnutrition inpregnancy among pregnant women receiving antenatal care (ANC) at Fort Portal RegionalReferral Hospital (FRRH). Specific objectives included assessing the prevalence ofmalnutrition, socio-demographic factors, and individual-related factors associated withmalnutrition. The research employed a descriptive and cross-sectional study design,involving 384 participants who completed structured researcher-administeredquestionnaires. Data were analyzed using Excel and SPSS to derive the study findings. Thestudy revealed a malnutrition prevalence of 13.5% among pregnant women attending ANCat FRRH, with 12.2% classified as having moderate acute malnutrition and 1.3% as severeacute malnutrition. Socio-demographic factors such as age, marital status, education level,occupation, and income significantly contributed to malnutrition in this population.Additionally, individual-related factors, including knowledge about nutrition, HIV status,the number of children, and household size, were associated with malnutrition. The studyrecommends that the Ministry of Health and other healthcare policymakers implementfeeding programs and provide food subsidies to pregnant women during ANC visits toreduce malnutrition prevalence. Health workers at FRRH should offer counseling on dietaryintake, supported by the establishment of nutrition education and efficient monitoringsystems at all levels of antenatal care