Assessment of Postnatal Nutrition Counselling Services Provided by Dietitians in Teaching Hospitals in South West Nigeria

Postnatal nutrition counselling is a key component of postpartum care that supports maternal recovery, lactation, and optimal infant feeding initiation. The quality and accessibility of such services within teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria has received limited documentation. This study assessed postnatal nutrition counselling services provided by dietitians in teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from 18 registered dietitians and 200 postnatal women across four teaching hospitals. Structured questionnaires and in-depth interview guides assessed counselling content, frequency, duration, and patient satisfaction. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis for qualitative responses. Findings revealed that postnatal nutrition counselling was conducted inconsistently, with many women receiving a single brief session before discharge. Breastfeeding promotion, maternal dietary recovery, and infant feeding transition were the most commonly addressed topics, but individualised dietary assessment was rare. Staffing shortages and high patient-to-dietitian ratios limited service depth and personalisation. Patient satisfaction was moderate, with women expressing desire for more practical guidance on affordable postpartum meal options. The study recommends expansion of dietitian staffing in obstetric wards, development of structured postnatal nutrition counselling protocols, and provision of culturally appropriate printed dietary guides. Keywords: postnatal counselling, nutrition, dietitians, teaching hospitals, South West Nigeria