Background: Pregnancy is a trigger point for the development of obesity with maternal obesity being associated with significant adverse effects in the mother and child. Nigeria is experiencing a double burden of under- and over-nutrition with rising levels of obesity particularly in women. However, there is scarcity of data on maternal obesity in Nigeria and other African countries. Aims and Objectives: This thesis aimed at identifying crucial components of potential interventions for maternal obesity in Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the prevalence, effects and distribution of maternal obesity; assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pregnant women and maternal healthcare providers and identify existing interventions for maternal obesity in Nigeria. Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis was initially conducted. Following this, a quantitative questionnaire survey of the KAP of pregnant women and a qualitative interview study of the KAP of Health Care Workers (HCW) were conducted in seven secondary and tertiary hospitals across Nigeria. Quantitative data was analysed with SPSS statistical software, while thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative data. Results: Twenty-nine studies included in the systematic review showed significant prevalence, socio-demographic associations, and adverse effects of maternal obesity on labour, maternal, and child outcomes in Africa. The questionnaire survey of 435 mothers revealed a maternal obesity prevalence of 17.9% among mothers who registered for antenatal care in the first trimester. Mothers had insufficient knowledge of the causes, complications, and safe ways to manage maternal obesity. However, majority felt that excess gestational weight gain be avoided and some practiced weight management during pregnancy. For the qualitative study, four main themes were identified: 'Concerns about obesity in pregnancy', 'Barriers to care for obese pregnant women', 'Practice of care for obese pregnant women', and 'Improving care for obese pregnant women'. Conclusions: Culturally adaptable/sensitive interventions should be developed for the management of obese pregnant women in Africa. Education and training of mothers and health care workers, and provision of guidelines are some of the components of potential interventions in Nigeria.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:690606 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Onubi, Ojochenemi Joy |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=230166 |
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