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Background: Fetal malnutrition has been reported to result in developmental adaptations, which may lead to chronic diseases later on in life. Maternal body composition, nutritional stores, diet, and ability to deliver nutrients through the placenta determine nutrient availability for the fetus. Thus, this study aimed to determine and compare the dietary intake among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in rural and urban primary health centres in the Uyo senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State., Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 primary health care (3 urban and 3 rural) facilities in Uyo senatorial district, Akwa Ibom, selected by a multi-staged sampling technique. An interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire was used to obtain information on weekly food frequency and 24-hour dietary recall. Descriptive statistics were used, and a chi-square test was performed to examine the relationship between outcome variables. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of 0.05., Results: The major findings from this study indicated that urban respondents had a significantly higher intake of highly processed carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables compared to rural respondents (p=0.025 and 0.001, respectively). Overall, highly processed carbohydrates were the most consumed food group in both locations, with 42.2% consuming them over 5 times a week. The average iron and protein intakes were below the recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) in pregnancy at 72.4% and 69.1%, respectively, whereas carbohydrate and calcium intakes exceeded the RNI at 122.5% and 125.7%, respectively. Only protein intake was significantly different across the two locations, with urban respondents having higher intake (53.1g) compared to rural respondents (40.5g), p=0.013., Conclusion: Based on the above findings, it is recommended that adequate nutrition education be taught during antenatal clinics. Micronutrition supplementation, especially iron supplementation, should also be emphasized during the antenatal period., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Domestic violence (DV) is a 'pandemic' with an estimated 30% of women experiencing violence by their intimate partner. This study aimed to determine and compare the prevalence, forms, risk factors, coping strategies, and consequences of DV among WCBA in rural and urban areas in Akwa Ibom State (AKS). The study, conducted in 2022, was a comparative cross-sectional study that used a mixed method of data collection. Four communities were chosen via multistage sampling, three in rural and one in urban areas. A total of 1,054 respondents participated in the survey. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and FGD guide were used for data collection. The response rate was 99%. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis were used to answer the research questions. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that DV was prevalent in urban and rural areas in the 12 months that preceded the study (36.4 and 36. 2%). Physical, verbal and sexual abuse were more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas (41.6% vs 38.7%,65.7% vs 63.4% and 39.5% vs 25.6% respectively) p = 0.001. Moreover, the odds of emotional abuse also increased eightfold in urban than in rural areas while FGD showed physical violence as prevalent and the most harmful effect of DV was noted in rural areas than urban. It was concluded that the prevalence of DV among WCBA in both rural and urban areas in AKS was high with verbal violence being the highest. Various forms and risk factors of DV were more prevalent in urban than rural areas., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)