Abstract:
Objective: To assess the adequacy of nutrient intake including proteins, energy, calcium,
iron, folate and vitamin C and identify the factors associated with nutrient intake.
Design: Cross sectional study.
Setting: Healthy facility based. Bungoma District Hospital and Bumula Health
centre.
Subjects: Teenage pregnant girls attending Antenatal Clinic participated after providing
written consent, with girls under 18 years being considered as emancipated minors.
A standardised interviewer administered Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to
asses the dietary intake. Nutrient calculator was used to determine the nutrient intake
of the study participant.
Results: The intakes of all selected nutrients were significantly lower than the RDA.
Protein intake was significantly associated with Education (OR: 0.537; 95% CI: 0.318
– 0.907), income (OR: 0.049; 95% CI: 0.919 – 0.128) and perceived food shortage (OR:
0.617; 95% CI: 0.389 – 0.890). Energy intake was significantly associated with income
(p=0.007, OR: 2.103; 95%CI: 1.225 – 3.608). Iron intake was significantly associated with
perceived food shortage (OR: 2.548; 95% CI: 1.632 – 3.980). Hookworm affected calcium
intake (OR: 3.074; 95% CI: 1.089 – 8.698) and malaria parasites affected folate intake
(OR: 0.355; 95% CI: 0.226 – 0.557). Those with hookworm were 3 times more likely to
have inadequate calcium intake as compared to those without.
Conclusion: All the nutrients selected were lower than the Required Dietary Allowance.
Level of education, income, Hookworm and malaria affected intake of various
nutrients.
