Ilori O.a., Akinsanya O.b, Onabajo-omilani T., Folahan O.o, Olufelo T.a, Akinrinola A.o, Oose O. , Olatunji J. , Lam J.f And Onaolapo T. T.

Nutritional knowledge and practices are important factors in alleviating the problems related to pregnancy, its outcome and nutritional status. This study assesses the nutritional status, knowledge, practice and parity status of pregnant women in rural primary health centers in Abeokuta North and South of Ogun State. A cross sectional study involving 200 healthy pregnant women selected using multistage sampling procedure from 5 randomly selected primary health centers. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-economic, anthropometry, parity status, nutrient intakes, nutritional knowledge and practices of the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Nutrient intake was evaluated with Total Dietary Assessment (TDA) software while nutritional knowledge, practices and parity status were assessed on tercile scale and scored according to standard. The results showed that 93% were married, majority (83.5%) were within age 21-30years, 61% had secondary education with 31% earning within ₦20000-₦29000 monthly. Over half (54.0%) of them were malnourished as revealed by their current Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) while Nutritional knowledge score revealed that 50% were having good nutritional knowledge, 46.0% have average knowledge while 4% have poor knowledge of nutrition. Good nutritional practices toward appetite to food, eating varieties of food, consumption of fruit and vegetables was discovered among 57.0% while 43.0% had poor practices in terms of skipping meals (lunch), craving for nonfood like ice-block etc. Significant negative and positive association were found between nutritional knowledge and parity status at (r = -0.61** p=0.047) for poor and (r = 0.68**, p=0.048) for good nutritional knowledge respectively. Poor to average nutritional knowledge had negative influence on parity status and vice-versa. Therefore, adequate nutritional knowledge emphasizing the sources of good nutrition before and during pregnancy should be foster among the respondents to reduce level of miscarriage as revealed by the result. Key words: Nutritional Status, Knowledge, MUAC, Pregnant Women, Parity, Miscarriage 0150