IMPACT OF HEALTH EDUCATION FOR PREGNANT MOTHERS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THEIR CHILDREN

Abstract

The aim of this case-control study was to assess the impact of health education for mothers on the nutritional status of their children. The study was conducted in 6 rural areas in Mini a governorate in Upper Egypt. 141 mothers (the case group) were enrolled in health education programme. Bimonthly health education sessions and home visits were done regularly for 9 month. Six month after the end of the programme mothers were interviewed, their children were examined and the anthropometric measurements of the children were taken. The same procedures were done to another group of children (157 children) after matching for age, sex and socioeconomic status but their mothers had not participated in the programe. The results of the study showed that 15.6% of children in the case group versus 25.6% in the control group were under-weight (weight for age <-2SD) p=0.03, stunting(height for age <-2SD) was 22.6% in the case group versus 32.7% in the control group (p= 0.039) Regarding wasting (weight for height <-2SD) the proportions were 2.8% and 3.7% in the case and control group respectively (p=0.09). The conclusion of the study was that health education when properly designed has a positive effect on nutritional status of children•.