Bridging knowledge and nutrition: Improving maternal hemoglobin levels and dietary practices through structured education at Al Sabeen maternal hospital in Sana'a, Yemen

Mohammed Sadeg Al-Awar; Saddam Ahmed Al-Ahdal; Mohamed Goda Elbqry; Fatma Mohamed Elmansy; Fatima S O Ashmieg; Mohammed Sadeg Al-Awar; Saddam Ahmed Al-Ahdal; Mohamed Goda Elbqry; Fatma Mohamed Elmansy; Fatima S O Ashmieg

doi:10.3934/medsci.2026013

AIMS Medical Science

2026, Volume 13, Issue 3: 187-201. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2026013

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Research article

Bridging knowledge and nutrition: Improving maternal hemoglobin levels and dietary practices through structured education at Al Sabeen maternal hospital in Sana'a, Yemen

1.
Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Al-Razi University, Yemen
2.
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Amran University, Yemen
3.
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
4.
Department of Nursing, Medical City, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
5.
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Ismailia City, Egypt

Received: 29 August 2025 Revised: 10 July 2026 Accepted: 31 July 2026 Published: 12 August 2026

Anemia in pregnancy is a significant global health challenge, especially in low-resource settings, where it contributes to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nutrition education is widely recognized as an effective approach to improving dietary behaviors and reducing the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of a structured nutrition education program on hemoglobin levels, body mass index (BMI), dietary knowledge, and practices among pregnant women attending Al Sabeen Maternal Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen.
Methods
A quasi-experimental study was conducted utilizing a purposive sampling from November 2024 to June 2025 among second-trimester pregnant women, with 58 participants allocated to the intervention group receiving structured nutrition education and dietary counseling, and 56 participants assigned to the control group receiving routine antenatal care. Data was collected at baseline and post-intervention to evaluate the hemoglobin levels, BMI, dietary knowledge, and practices.
Results
The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), while the control group showed only a minor, non-significant change (p = 0.021). BMI in the intervention group increased from 22.92 ± 3.58 to 24.54 ± 3.71, compared to a smaller rise in the control group from 23.39 ± 4.07 to 24.54 ± 3.64. Dietary knowledge improved from 10.7% to 63.8% in the intervention group versus 12.5% to 17.9% in the control group (p < 0.001). Similarly, adherence to iron-rich foods and supplementation significantly increased in the intervention group (24-hour dietary practice seven-day practice) with minimal change in the control group.
Conclusion
Nutrition education significantly enhances maternal dietary knowledge, behaviors, and health outcomes. Integrating structured nutrition education into routine antenatal care is recommended to reduce anemia prevalence and improve pregnancy outcomes. Expanding community-based programs and digital health strategies can further strengthen adherence and sustainability. Future research should examine the long-term effects on both maternal and infant health.
- knowledge,
- nutrition,
- maternal,
- dietary,
- education
Citation: Mohammed Sadeg Al-Awar, Saddam Ahmed Al-Ahdal, Mohamed Goda Elbqry, Fatma Mohamed Elmansy, Fatima S O Ashmieg. Bridging knowledge and nutrition: Improving maternal hemoglobin levels and dietary practices through structured education at Al Sabeen maternal hospital in Sana'a, Yemen[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2026, 13(3): 187-201. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2026013

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Abstract

Anemia in pregnancy is a significant global health challenge, especially in low-resource settings, where it contributes to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nutrition education is widely recognized as an effective approach to improving dietary behaviors and reducing the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a structured nutrition education program on hemoglobin levels, body mass index (BMI), dietary knowledge, and practices among pregnant women attending Al Sabeen Maternal Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted utilizing a purposive sampling from November 2024 to June 2025 among second-trimester pregnant women, with 58 participants allocated to the intervention group receiving structured nutrition education and dietary counseling, and 56 participants assigned to the control group receiving routine antenatal care. Data was collected at baseline and post-intervention to evaluate the hemoglobin levels, BMI, dietary knowledge, and practices.

Results

The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), while the control group showed only a minor, non-significant change (p = 0.021). BMI in the intervention group increased from 22.92 ± 3.58 to 24.54 ± 3.71, compared to a smaller rise in the control group from 23.39 ± 4.07 to 24.54 ± 3.64. Dietary knowledge improved from 10.7% to 63.8% in the intervention group versus 12.5% to 17.9% in the control group (p < 0.001). Similarly, adherence to iron-rich foods and supplementation significantly increased in the intervention group (24-hour dietary practice seven-day practice) with minimal change in the control group.

Conclusion

Nutrition education significantly enhances maternal dietary knowledge, behaviors, and health outcomes. Integrating structured nutrition education into routine antenatal care is recommended to reduce anemia prevalence and improve pregnancy outcomes. Expanding community-based programs and digital health strategies can further strengthen adherence and sustainability. Future research should examine the long-term effects on both maternal and infant health.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all individuals who contributed to the successful completion of this research. Special thanks are extended to all participants for their valuable cooperation and willingness to participate in this study.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study received ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee for Research at Al-Razi University (7/2024; Ref: RU/17/FMHS/2024) and administrative approval from SMH. Aim of the study was clarified to the participants. A written informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection with the ability to withdraw from the study neither penalty nor award. The authors granted that all data were kept confidentially. Routine antenatal care was ensured for all, with the intervention group receiving additional nutrition education. It was conducted in line with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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