Influence of Proteins Intake of Expectant Mothers on Health of Newborns at Hargeisa Group Hospital, Somaliland

Abstract

The study investigated the protein intake of expectant mothers and newborn health at HGH. The problem of this study was poor newborn health at HGH. The newborn death rate is 11.84% per month, with a 1.36 percentage points increase per month. The study determined the health of newborns, the average proteins intake of expectant mothers; and the influence of proteins intake of expectant mothers on newborn health, using an ex-post facto design, on a convenient sample of 70 mothers and their newborns. Newborn health was measured from birth weight, head circumference and gestational age; and proteins intake from meat and dairy products, and legumes intake. A majority of mothers (54.3%) had low protein intake, χ² (N = 70, 1) = .514, p =.473, and a majority newborns (52.9%) had poor health, χ² (N = 70, 1) = .229, p = .633. The ratio of good newborn health (93.9%) and the odds of good newborn health is significantly higher among expectant mothers on high protein intake, OR = 558.000, χ² (1, N = 70) = 58.508, p = .000. The log odds good newborn health is significantly higher among expectant mothers on high protein intake, -2LL (1) = 24.570, p = .000. High proteins intake is significant in the model, W (1) = 25.639, p = .000. Proteins intake of expectant mothers has a significant influence on newborn health and accounts for 85.9% of the variance health of newborns. The MoHD should register all expectant mothers and provide them with routine protein supplements at designated points in time.