STRUCTURED NUTRITION EDUCATION MODULE FOR NURSE PRACTITIONER MIDWIVES: A PRACTICAL TOOL FOR BRIDGING THE GAP IN ANEMIA CARE

Anemia during pregnancy is a major global health concern, impacting around 41% of pregnant women. Midwives are pivotal in antenatal care, serving as the first point of contact for expectant mothers and addressing nutritional deficiencies such as anemia. Current study assesses the effectiveness of Structured Nutrition Education (SNE) module in improving midwives' knowledge for anemia management, empowering them to provide improved nutritional guidance and support during pregnancy, thereby enhancing maternal and fetal health outcomes. A cohort of 25 graduate nurses enrolled in the Nurse Practitioner Midwifery (NPM) program and stationed at Telangana's Public Health Care centers were included in study. At the beginning of the study, baseline NPM knowledge was examined. Adietitian then led a 45-60-minute training session using the SNE module to discuss dietary treatment of anemia. This module included interactive educational tools such as flip charts, short video clips, and recipes to provide NPMs with practical approach for counselling pregnant women with anemia. Dieticians continuously observed and assessed post-training knowledge retention at end of month. Training significantly enhanced NPMs' awareness of anemia thresholds, the benefits of oral iron supplementation during fasting, and identifying caloric demands during pregnancy (p < 0.001). There was a considerable gain in awareness regarding the diet diversity for pregnant women with anemia. As a result, this knowledge improvement emphasizes the necessity of focused educational interventions in preparing healthcare providers to successfully address common dietary concerns