PD069 - EFFECTS OF A NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT INTERVENTION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN TO PREVENT LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

PD069

EFFECTS OF A NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT INTERVENTION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN TO PREVENT LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

C. S. Azandjeme^1,*, G. R. HOUSSOU ¹, N. Fanou^1,2, O. Akpo Djenontin², C. G. Metonnou¹, C. Jérôme Sossa ¹, E. Compaoré ³, R. Mongbo²

¹Health promotion, Regional Institute of Public Health, University of Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, ²Nutrition, University of. Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin, ³Nutrition, Center for Research in Biological, Food and Nutritional Sciences (CRSBAN), Ouaga 1 University Pr Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Rationale: A baby's birth weight is an important indicator of its health. Low birth weight can be related to many factors, but the mother's diet during pregnancy plays a key role. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention targeting pregnant women at risk of giving birth to a low birth-weight infant.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental before-and-after and here-elsewhere study, comparing an intervention group with a control group, both composed of pregnant women identified as being at risk. The study took place over six months. The intervention group received food kits, prepared from local foods, as well as nutritional education sessions, home visits, and individualized follow-ups. The control group received the same interventions, except for the food kits. Data were analyzed using the Student t-test to compare means and the chi-square test to compare proportions.

Results: This work showed that mothers who benefited from the food kit gained an average of 1.47 kg of weight during pregnancy. Their children had a birth weight of 78.17 g higher and a length of 1.07 cm higher than children born to mothers in the control group. The risk of low birth weight was reduced by 80% in women who benefited from the intervention (RR=0.2 [0.023–0.58]). The diversity and food consumption scores were better in the beneficiary group than in the control group.

Conclusion: This study's results highlight the importance of strengthening maternal health programs by facilitating access to nutritious and varied foods for vulnerable pregnant women.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared