Influence of Myth and Mist on Dietary Intake of Pregnant Women at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the nutritional knowledge and the influence of myth and mist on the dietary intake of pregnant women at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Proper maternal nutrition is vital for both mother and baby; however, various food-related myths persist among pregnant women, potentially leading to poor dietary practices. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. A random sampling technique was used to select 120 pregnant women attending antenatal care. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire focused on nutritional knowledge, prevalent food myths, dietary habits, and perceived health implications. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square) to test the study’s hypothesis. Results revealed that although a fair proportion of respondents demonstrated moderate nutritional knowledge, a significant number still believed in and practiced food myths, such as avoiding eggs and snails during pregnancy. The analysis showed a significant relationship between nutritional knowledge and the influence of myths on dietary behavior (p < 0.05). The findings highlight that knowledge alone does not entirely prevent the influence of traditional food myths on pregnant women’s diets. In conclusion, addressing myths and misconceptions is crucial for improving maternal nutrition. The study recommends intensified, culturally sensitive nutrition education as part of antenatal care to correct misconceptions and encourage healthy eating practices during pregnancy.