Antenatal care providers’ awareness of maternal diet’s effect on offspring’s non-communicable diseases risk in Ilala.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant public health concern and emerging evidence suggests that maternal diet, lifestyle and environment can influence the risk of NCDs in offspring. Awareness of antenatal care providers regarding these effects remains unclear. Objective: This study was aimed to assess antenatal care providers’ awareness, access to information, available support and identified factors associated with their awareness on maternal diet’s effects contributing to offspring’s risk of NCDs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, structured questionnaires were used to collected data, descriptive statistics to summarize and binary logistic regression explored the relationships. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 were further analyzed in multivariate logistic regression to control confounders. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify statistically significant associations (p < 0.05). Ethical approval was obtained and confidentiality was ensured. Results: The study included 380 ANC providers, majority were female (70.8%), age 25-34 years (43.7%). Diploma holders (61.6%), bachelor’s degrees (29.7%). Nurses were the largest group (52.6%). Only 47.74% of ANC providers were aware of effects of maternal diet NCDs risks in offspring. 59% lack support and 60% lack access to information. Discussion: The findings show a gap since only 30.67% of providers were aware of risks of NCD in offspring while immediate health conditions such as low birth weight were well known (78.2%), chronic diseases like cancer were alarmingly under-recognized. Lack of support and access to information affects their ability to counsel expectant mothers effectively. Conclusion: The low levels of awareness, lack of access to information and support indicate an urgent need for targeted educational programs and resources to empower ANC providers.