FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DIETARY PRACTICE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANC AT MAALIE WOREDA, SOUTH OMO ZONE, ETHIOPIA: FACILITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Maternal dietary practices during pregnancy play an important role. Hence, this study was intended to assess factors associated with the dietary practice and nutritional status of pregnant women in Maalie Woreda, South Omo zone, Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 318 pregnant women had participated. Socio demographic and socio economic data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The dietary practice was measured using 16 dietary practice questions. Dietary diversity was obtained by using a 24-hr dietary recall method and Nutritional status was assessed by using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted. Variables with P ≤ 0.2 in bivariate analysis were entered for multiple logistic regressions. At a 95% confidence interval, variable with < 0.05 in multiple logistic regression analysis was considered statistically significantly associated with dietary practice and Nutritional status. Result: About 68.6% of the pregnant women had poor dietary practice and 34.3% were undernourished. Educational status (AOR=4.6; 95% CI: 1.50, 11.51), family income (AOR=2.61; 95% CI: 1.35, 6.43), family size (AOR=2.30; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.87), ANC visits (AOR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.09, 4.03), nutrition counseling (AOR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.46) and Knowledge (AOR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.19) were significantly associated with dietary practice. Husband occupation (AOR=3.29; 95% CI: 1.79, 71.2), cash decision maker (AOR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.92), nutrition counseling (AOR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.42, 7.26), Source of nutrition information (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.07 , 8.3), Dietary practice (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.51), and knowledge (AOR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.06) were significantly associated with nutritional status. Conclusion: The prevalence of good dietary practice during pregnancy was 31.4% and 34.3% were undernourished. Educational status, family income, family size, number of pregnancy, ANC visits, nutrition counseling, Diversity of diet and Knowledge which were significantly associated with dietary practice. Government, health extension workers and responsible stakeholders should focus on pregnant women to have ANC follow-up.