Assessment of Nutritional Status using Anthropometric Measurements in Relation to Pregnancy Outcome among Southern Sudanese Pregnant Mothers in Juba City, University of Bahri - Khartoum, Sudan

Maternal anthropometry has not yet received adequate attention in Sudan. The objectives are to evaluate the nutritional status of pregnant mothers in Juba area through anthropometric measurements, and relate them to pregnancy outcomes, using height, weight, mid upper arm circumference, biceps and triceps skin-fold thicknesses as indicators and to establish baseline data for future investigations and guidelines in the fields of maternal health care and community development. The study design it is a cross-sectional as well as longitudinal health facility- based study, carried out in Juba city. Methods the data consisted of interview guided by questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. Results The mean height 162.59 cm and the mean weight 62.11 kg. The mean mid upper arm circumference was 25.112.81cm. The mean biceps and triceps were 7.955.57mm and 13.977.14mm respectively. The mean maternal weight gain was 1.630.48kg/month. The mean birth weight was 2.890.49kg and the frequency of LBW (less than2.5 kg) was found to be very high (38.3 %). The highest birth weight found among Mundari tribe (3.10.4kg). Conclusion, Strong significant association was found between birth weight and maternal height, maternal weight, mid upper arm circumference, triceps skin-fold thickness (pless than0.05).