TITLE:
Prevalence and Determinants of Nutritional Knowledge among Pregnant Women Attending Public Maternity Units in Parakou, Benin, 2025
AUTHORS:
Bénédicte Ingrid Olowo, Aurelle Y. Ahouingnan, Fanny Maryline Nouessèwa Ahouingnan Hounkponou, Moucharafath Achamou, Armel Hadonou, Christiane Tchabu-Aguemon, Benjamin Hounkpatin, Angéline Tonato-Bagnan
KEYWORDS:
Nutritional Knowledge, Pregnant Women, Antenatal Care, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
26,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Nutrition during pregnancy influences maternal and fetal outcomes, with nutritional deficiencies contributing to anemia and its associated consequences. Nutritional knowledge among pregnant women remains poorly documented in Benin. This study assessed their level of nutritional knowledge in Parakou in 2025. Study method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from July 7 to September 1, 2025, in two public maternity units in Parakou. Pregnant women aged 18 years and over, attending antenatal care (ANC) and who gave consent, were recruited through proportional stratified sampling; 397 were included. Data were collected face-to-face using a structured questionnaire on KoboToolbox. The knowledge level was based on a 25-point composite score covering five domains, classified according to the Essi grid. Analyses were performed with MedCalc 19.4.1 and Epi Info 7. Results: The mean age was 28.4 ± 5 years, and 94.5% of the women lived in urban areas. Nutritional counseling had reached only 25.7% of them, and just 46.6% were taking iron and folic acid supplementation. Health workers were the leading source of information (60.2%). Fruits and vegetables were the most identified food group (82.9%), but only 23.7% mentioned moringa. More than a third (33.5%) could not name any micronutrient-rich food. Overall lack of knowledge concerned 45.4% of the women (95% CI: 40.6 - 50.3), and 28.7% had an insufficient level. Conclusion: Nearly one in two pregnant women in Parakou lack adequate knowledge of their nutritional needs. Strengthening counseling during ANC is urgent.