Comparison of the influence of couple nutritional counselling versus maternal nutritional counselling on maternal knowledge about proper maternal dietary practices and weight gain monitoring during pregnancy in Goma town, DR Congo

Author(s): Justin MAFUKO, Sophie OCHOLA, Peter CHEGE.

Background: Community-based interventions are crucial in addressing maternal health disparities, particularly in low-resource settings. This study employed a cluster-randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the efficacy of maternal and couple counselling interventions on maternal dietary practices and weight gain monitoring during pregnancy.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the impact of maternal and couple counselling interventions on maternal dietary practices and weight gain monitoring among pregnant women attending the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinic in Goma town, DR Congo, and their partners.

Methods: Three study groups, comprising 84 participants each, were formed: a control group receiving standard counselling, a maternal counselling group, and a couple counselling group. Sample size determination and randomization were conducted according to established guidelines. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was utilized for random allocation. The interventions involved varying degrees of counselling sessions tailored to the specific needs of each group. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussions, In-depth Interviews, and analysed using Chi-square, ANOVA, and T-test.

Results: Preliminary findings suggest that both maternal and couple counselling interventions positively influenced maternal dietary practices and weight gain monitoring. Participants in the intervention groups demonstrated improved knowledge and adherence to recommended dietary practices compared to the control group. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences among the study groups, indicating the effectiveness of the interventions.

Conclusion: Maternal and couple counselling interventions hold promise in enhancing maternal nutrition and weight gain monitoring during pregnancy. These findings underscore the importance of targeted community-based interventions in promoting maternal and child health in resource-constrained settings.