Social Factors as Predictors of Nutritional Status among Pregnant Women

Balogun OJ, Iyanda AB and Kholofelo M

Published on: 2025-12-04

Abstract

Background: The Nutritional status of pregnant women is paramount since it has the potential to shape mother and child health. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy often brings about various complications, including anemia, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes in mothers, as well as hinders fetal growth and development, with defects like low birth weight, preterm birth, and delays in their development. Therefore, the study investigated the social predictors of the nutritional status of pregnant women in Nigeria

Methods: A Descriptive research design of regression type was adopted for the study. A sample size of 233 pregnant women was selected for the study, but 208 questionnaires found usable were retrieved and used for analysis. A self-developed questionnaire was used as an instrument with a reliability index of 0.78 coefficient estimated using Cronbach’s alpha method. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, frequency table, and regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 alpha level.

Results: The study revealed that the nutritional knowledge among pregnant women was relatively high, with the obtained weighted mean of 2.75 slightly higher than the criterion mean of 2.50. The social variables of social support, occupation, and peer influence jointly predict nutritional status among pregnant women. (F (3,204) = 205.929; Adj R2 =. 748; p<0.05). Additionally, there were significant relative contributions of social support (β = .833; t = 21.424; p<0.05), Peer influence (β = .663; t= 16.736; p<0.05) and Occupation (β = .125; t =-3.177; p<0.05).

Conclusion: Initiatives that encourage family members, especially spouses, should be developed to provide support to pregnant women. The government and policymakers should take into consideration the health of pregnant women while making policies for work organizations.