Comparative Nutritional Status of Adult And Adolescent Mothers And Their Infants

ABSTRACT

Introduction: There exist some variation in nutrient needs, and general physiology of adult and adolescent women, as well as physiologic stress imposed by pregnancy which can affect their infants. This may result from their nutrients demands due to differences in their developmental stage. Objective: To compare the nutritional status of adult and adolescent mothers and their infants. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional study design. Two Hundred and sixty mother-child pairs participated in the study (130 adult mother-child pairs and 130 adolescent mother-child pairs) and were recruited during post natal and child welfare clinic at four health centres within the Kpone, Ashaiman, Teshie Nungua and Tema municipal Assemblies. Semi-structured questionnaires were used in collecting background socio demographic data and data on maternal nutrition knowledge. A food frequency questionnaire was used in collecting dietary data. Anthropometric measurements and haemoglobin concentrations were taken for both adult and adolescent mothers and their infants. Results: Average nutrition knowledge was lower in adult mothers as compared to adolescent mothers (8.25±2.75 vs. 9.90±4.04;p