Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 243-250
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260327
Maternal Nutritional Knowledge, Dietary Practices, and Nutritional Status Among Pregnant Women in Garowe Camps of Internally Displaced Persons, Puntland, Somalia
Ruweyda Hussein Jama1, Lawrence Mugambi1, Rose Juma1
1Department of Public Health, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya
Corresponding Author: Ruweyda Hussein Jama
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in Garowe IDP camps with the aim of assessing nutritional status and to examine maternal knowledge and awareness of proper nutrition during pregnancy, to identify dietary habits and food practices among pregnant attending barwaqo, jilab and jowle health centers. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with mixed-methods A total of 218 pregnant women were registered during the study period; 180 participants had complete nutritional-status data and were included in the outcome analyses.
The study revealed that multiple factors significantly influence the nutritional status of pregnant women in IDP camps attending Barwaqo, Jilab, and Jowle Health Centers in Garowe, Puntland. The findings indicate that higher maternal nutritional knowledge (χ² = 8.94, p = 0.003; OR = 1.57), better dietary practices (χ² = 6.78, p = 0.009; OR = 1.38), are positively associated with improved nutritional outcomes, specifically reflected in MUAC measurements.
Targeted interventions are needed to improve the nutritional health of pregnant women. It is recommended that health initiatives be prioritized, education programs be implemented, counseling be integrated into care.
Keywords: Nutritional Status, Pregnant Women, Maternal nutritional knowledge, Dietary practices, Internally displaced persons; MUAC