Spousal and culture/religion influence on dietary pattern and the linkage between the dietary pattern and some biochemical parameters of pregnant women under PHCS in Oluyole LGA, Ibadan, Oyo state

Background: Adequate micronutrient intake during pregnancy is important for best reproductive outcomes. This survey examined the spousal and culture/religion influence on dietary pattern and the linkage between the dietary pattern and micronutrient levels of pregnant women under PHCs in Oluyole LGA, Ibadan. Methodology: The investigation was cross-sectional study on eligible and randomly selected pregnant women (20-35years) without any medical history of chronic disease. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered and their blood samples were also obtained for biochemical assays using standard methods. Results: Sociodemographic characteristics revealed that most (99%) are educated, 67% are self-established, 41.2% earned above N35,000 monthly. The respondents mostly consume fruits and vegetables (47.1% once daily), cereal and its products (54.1% once daily), roots and tubers (55.3% 1-3times weekly), fish and fish products (36.5% 1-3times weekly); for milk and milk products, majority (90.7%) of the respondents do consume this food group at least once a week. Over 70% of the participants are forbidden either by culture or religion in eating some certain foods and 92.9%) do have their spouse support and encouragement to eat well. Prevalence of micronutrient deficiency showed that majority (51.1% for serum iron) and over 98% (for serum copper, magnesium and zinc levels) of the respondents were below the minimum acceptable levels; while almost (90.6%) all the respondents had optimal level of vitamin C status. There was significant association between milk and milk products consumption and serum zinc, vitamin C and copper concentrations (χ2(4)=16.190, p =0.003); 35.3% of the women were anaemic. The study concludes that there is high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency among the pregnant women even though they claimed to feed well and all respondents were recorded to have attained an optimal level of vitamin C and a suboptimal level of magnesium.