DIETARY DIVERSITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN CHIRO GENERAL HOSPITAL, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Globally, lack of adequate dietary diversity is a serious problem among poor populations in the developing world which leads to poor fetal development and a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Hence, improving dietary diversity during this critical period of growth and development is vital for the health of pregnant women and pregnancy outcome. Therefore, it was necessary to assess dietary diversity practices and factors associated among pregnant women in the current study area. Objective: - The objective of this study was to assess dietary diversity practices and factors associated among pregnant women in Chiro General Hospital, West Hararghe, Ethiopia from March 1, 2021 to May 30, 2021. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in 364 systematic selected pregnant women attending ANC in Chiro general hospital. Data was collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire which include information on Socio-demographic, economic, maternal nutrition, and dietary diversity service-related factors. The data were cleaned, coded, entered into Epi-data version 3.1, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statstics and a multivariable logistif regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with dietary diversity. Odds Ratio along with a 95% confidence interval were computed and level of statistical significance was declared at P-value less than 0.05. Result: In the current study, the magnitude of adequate dietary diversity (DD) practice of pregnant women was found to be (53.6%) (95% CI=48.1%, 58. 9%). Having nutrition information [AOR=5.99, 95%CI=3.35, 10.73], availability of home garden [AOR= 6.21, 95% CI= 3.58, 10.76], being College diploma and above [AOR= 5.44, 95% CI 2.51, 11.78], Secondary education [AOR= 4.49, 95% CI 1.97, 10.20] and Primary education (1-8th) (AOR= 5.80, 95% CI 2.59, 13.02] were significantly associated with Dietary diversity practices Conclusion: The magnitude of adequate dietary diversity practices among pregnant women was lower in this study. Having nutrition information, availability home garden, college diploma and above, secondary education level, and primary educational status were significant predictors. It is possible to improve the DD among pregnant women by encouraging and promoting the availability of facility level nutrition information and home gardens practice at house house level