An Intervention Program to Raise Nutritional Awareness of Reproductive-Age Females in a Rural District of Alexandria, Egypt

Abo Zahra *1, Doha M.; Salama1, Amany A; Salah1, Sally; Ghoneim2, , Essam

doi:10.21608/enj.2025.426859

An Intervention Program to Raise Nutritional Awareness of Reproductive-Age Females in a Rural District of Alexandria, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ 1 Nutrition and Food Safety Department, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.

² 2 Agriculture Research Center in Alexandria.

10.21608/enj.2025.426859

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The nutritional status of both males and females significantly affects their offspring's growth, development, and long-term health. The study aimed to assess the nutritional awareness of rural women in reproductive age and improve their nutrition status through a tailored educational intervention. It included 229 females in reproductive age were selected from Houd 10 by El-Nofoos Al-Raheema association. We collected information using a pre-designed questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, maternal health state, information, and nutritional habits during pregnancy and lactation. Blood samples for CBC, TSH, Lipid profile, stool analysis, and urine analysis were tested. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done for all subjects. The educational sessions were given weekly for three months. To complete our intervention, a follow-up interview was done to evaluate the nutritional and health knowledge improvement. There was statistically significant difference in the women's pre- and post-intervention program information. The awareness of the targeted group has increased from 19.45% before the education program to almost 24% after the education program. Most of the targeted group had a low educational level, a high TG level, and normal cholesterol levels. All the participants in the study had anemia, and most were prediabetic. The targeted group's nutritional knowledge was low. The nutrition education intervention program raised the nutritional awareness of the target group. In conclusion; the nutrition education program's beneficial effects infer that focused interventions may raise maternal knowledge and, consequently, health outcomes. The results also emphasize the serious problems conveyed by low educational attainment, early marriage, unhealthy eating patterns, and high rate of chronic diseases.

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