Asian Journal of Research in Medicine and Medical Science

The nutritional status of pregnant women has long-term implications for maternal and child health. This study assessed factors associated with nutritional knowledge among women attending antenatal clinics in selected primary healthcare centres in Port Harcourt. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The study population comprised 1,200 pregnant women who attended antenatal care services in selected primary healthcare centres across Port Harcourt from February 2025 to September 2025. A sample of 330 pregnant women was selected using the Yamane sample size determination formula, and simple random sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, and the instrument was subjected to test-retest reliability assessment, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.89. The findings showed that most respondents were aged 25-29 years, representing 100 (30.30%) of the sample, followed by those aged 18-24 years and 35 years and above, each representing 80 (24.24%). Respondents aged 30-34 years had the lowest representation, with 70 (21.21%). Most women were single, 150 (45.45%), followed by married women, 120 (36.36%); divorced and widowed women each accounted for 30 (9.09%). The level of nutritional knowledge among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Port Harcourt LGA was moderate. Educational background, socio-economic status and access to healthcare services were associated with women’s understanding of pregnancy nutrition. The study concludes that targeted nutritional education during antenatal visits is needed, particularly for women with lower educational attainment and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, to improve nutritional knowledge and dietary practices.