Conference abstract
Barriers to accessing healthy diets among HIV Pregnant Women in Njombe Region
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(41).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.41.2369
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Healthy diets, HIV pregnant women, Njombe
Oral presentation
Barriers to accessing healthy diets among HIV Pregnant Women in Njombe Region
Abela Twin’omujuni1,&, Julieth Shine1, Fatma Abdalah1, Anna Zangira1, Maria Ngilisho1, Aika Lekey1, Zahara Amiri1, Ray Masumo1, Winifrida Onesmo Akyoo2
1Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Tanzania, 2Muhimbili College of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: pregnancy is a period where nutrient demand increases to support the growth and development of the fetus and the health of pregnant women. HIV increases energy demand by 20%-30% in the symptomatic stage. In low-middle-income countries, barriers to accessing healthy diets promote poor pregnancy outcomes. This evidence stimulates the need to explore barriers that limit pregnant women’s access to healthy diets.
Methods: an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study design was used. The primary study population was HIV pregnant women. Others were Women (25-35 years), Men (25- 49 years), Community Health Workers, Religious leaders, District Medical Officers, District Nutrition Officers, District Reproductive Child Health Coordinators, and Reproductive and Child Health in charge. Data were collected through focus group discussions (12), in-depth interviews (24), and key informant interviews (20). Data analysis used MAXQDA software, where coding techniques identified meaningful relationship contents.
Results: findings revealed insufficient nutritional knowledge and support from spouses and family, heavy workload, excessive alcohol and soil use, self-stigmatization leading to depression and hindrance in accessing health services, shortage of healthcare providers, and inadequate meat consumption.
Conclusion: the study concludes that various barriers hinder HIV pregnant women from accessing healthy diets, hence, poor pregnancy outcomes. To overcome them, the study recommends more stakeholders’ collaboration to promote nutritional education among healthcare providers, spouses, HIV-pregnant women, and the community at large. Others include reducing women’s workload and gender inequalities, alcohol and soil use, and promoting meat consumption for better pregnancy outcomes.
Barriers to accessing healthy diets among HIV Pregnant Women in Njombe Region
Abela Twin’omujuni1,&, Julieth Shine1, Fatma Abdalah1, Anna Zangira1, Maria Ngilisho1, Aika Lekey1, Zahara Amiri1, Ray Masumo1, Winifrida Onesmo Akyoo2
1Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Tanzania, 2Muhimbili College of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: pregnancy is a period where nutrient demand increases to support the growth and development of the fetus and the health of pregnant women. HIV increases energy demand by 20%-30% in the symptomatic stage. In low-middle-income countries, barriers to accessing healthy diets promote poor pregnancy outcomes. This evidence stimulates the need to explore barriers that limit pregnant women’s access to healthy diets.
Methods: an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study design was used. The primary study population was HIV pregnant women. Others were Women (25-35 years), Men (25- 49 years), Community Health Workers, Religious leaders, District Medical Officers, District Nutrition Officers, District Reproductive Child Health Coordinators, and Reproductive and Child Health in charge. Data were collected through focus group discussions (12), in-depth interviews (24), and key informant interviews (20). Data analysis used MAXQDA software, where coding techniques identified meaningful relationship contents.
Results: findings revealed insufficient nutritional knowledge and support from spouses and family, heavy workload, excessive alcohol and soil use, self-stigmatization leading to depression and hindrance in accessing health services, shortage of healthcare providers, and inadequate meat consumption.
Conclusion: the study concludes that various barriers hinder HIV pregnant women from accessing healthy diets, hence, poor pregnancy outcomes. To overcome them, the study recommends more stakeholders’ collaboration to promote nutritional education among healthcare providers, spouses, HIV-pregnant women, and the community at large. Others include reducing women’s workload and gender inequalities, alcohol and soil use, and promoting meat consumption for better pregnancy outcomes.
