Collecting country-of-birth data does not capture ‘statistically invisible’ population groups including Maori and Pasifika; ancestry data is needed. The findings from this study enable targeted service delivery according to women’s preferences.
Investigating Antenatal Nutrition Education Preferences in South-East Queensland, including Maori and Pasifika women
Initiative Type
Research
Status
Deliver
Added
Last updated
Summary
Key dates
May 2018
Jan 2019
Implementation sites
Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Aim
To better understand women’s nutrition-related knowledge, needs, behaviours and education preferences and to identify any significant differences among Maori & Pasifika (M&P) women.
Benefits
Improved dietary behaviours during pregnancy may support improved health outcomes in women and their infants.
Background
Little is reported about the nutrition-related needs and preferences of women seeking maternity services, particularly Maori and Pasifika (M&P) women who have higher chronic disease rates in Queensland.
Solutions Implemented
Women (>18 years) admitted to the postnatal ward were surveyed. Anthropometry, dietary quality, nutrition education preferences, country of birth and ancestry were collected. Analysis included chi-squared and t-tests.
Evaluation and Results
The survey was completed by 399 eligible women. Country of birth data suggested 4 per cent of respondents were Pasifika and failed to separately identify New Zealand Maori, whereas 18 per cent of respondents (n = 73) reported M&P ancestry. Descriptors were similar between groups (28 ± 5 years; 91 per cent any breastfeeding; 18 per cent gestational diabetes mellitus; p>0.05). However M&P women were less often university educated (M&P:6(9 per cent); NMP:71(22 per cent), p<0.01) and more likely had >2 children (M&P: 30 (54 per cent); NMP:70(30 per cent), p<0.01). M&P women reported heavier weight at conception (M&P:79.0 ± 20.2 kg, 29.2 ± 7.5 kg/m2; NMP:71.3 ± 18.9 kg, 26.3 ± 6.5 kg/m2, p<0.01), and were more likely to report excess gestational weight gain (M&P:30(56 per cent), NMP:96(36 per cent), p<0.05). Most (>75 per cent) women did not know their recommended weight gain. Many respondents reported inadequate intake of vegetables (95 per cent), fruit (29 per cent) and dairy (69 per cent) during pregnancy. Two-fifths (38–41 per cent) reported interest in perinatal nutrition education, with topics including healthy eating postpartum.
Lessons Learnt
Collecting ancestral and maternal data to facilitate the provision of appropriate nutrition education may be critical for achieving optimal maternal outcomes in Maori and Pasifika women.
