Conhecimento nutricional e as práticas alimentares de gestantes atendidas nas unidades básicas de saúde da zona urbana do município de Cuité-PB.

Abstract

The gestational period is marked by intense physiological, metabolic and hormonal transformations that significantly increase maternal nutritional demands. The quality of the maternal diet is decisive for adequate fetal development and for the prevention of complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Considering the relevance of the theme, the main objective of this study was to analyze the nutritional knowledge and feeding practices of pregnant women monitored in Basic Health Units in the urban area of the municipality of Cuité – PB. The research was descriptive, with a mixed approach, covering pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy. Data collection was carried out through a structured questionnaire, including sociodemographic information, feeding practices and perception of nutrition during pregnancy. The statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of specific software (EpiInfo, version 7.2.5.0, Microsoft Access, Stata Statistical Software version 15.0), aiming to identify trends and gaps in food knowledge and practices. The final sample was characterized by 83 pregnant women, mostly between 23 and 28 years old, brown, single, in the second pregnancy, with a monthly family income of less than one minimum wage, with incomplete elementary education, participating in social programs/benefits, living in a household with two people and having domestic work as their main occupation. Food consumption was composed of natural and minimally processed foods, with reports of ultra-processed foods. The consumption of caffeine, sweets and salt was also highlighted. In addition, a significant portion of the pregnant women (53%) were not receiving nutritional follow-up during the study period. Most pregnant women understand nutrition during pregnancy as being a primary factor for the health of the binomial, and a portion understands nutrition in a superficial way, limiting themselves only to healthy and adequate nutrition during this period. Therefore, this theme is important within the field of study related to maternal and child nutrition and health, despite the gaps found, the findings are of paramount importance to proceed with the planning within the analyzed scenarios and to follow up on future research.