Dietary Diversity Practices of Pregnant Women and Associated Factors among Women Attending Public Hospitals in Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia
Abstract:
Inadequate dietary
diversity among pregnant women in Ethiopia remains a major public health
concern, with approximately half of the women affected. Understanding
context-specific dietary practices and associated factors is essential for
effective intervention. This study assessed dietary diversity practices of
pregnant women and their determinants among women attending public hospitals in
Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia. An institution-based prospective cohort design
was employed from July 25, 2024, to September 10, 2024, using a single-stage
cluster sampling approach. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered
questionnaire with KoboCollect software and analyzed in SPSS version 25.
Dietary diversity was assessed twice using a 24-hour dietary recall. A modified
Poisson regression model was applied, and statistical significance was declared
at p < 0.05. All 254 participants completed the first follow-up, yielding a
100% response rate. The prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity practice was
76.4%. Factors significantly associated with being exposed included having at least
one child under five years (ARR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.57), lack of television in
household (ARR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02–1.40), lack of antenatal care (ARR = 1.25;
95% CI: 1.02–1.53), gastritis (ARR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.13–1.47), and meals or
snacks frequency of only 1–4 times per day (ARR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.17–1.69). The
prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity practice was high. Strengthening
nutrition education through mass media, improving antenatal nutrition
counseling on meal frequency and diversity, and enhancing the screening and
management of gastritis with smaller, more frequent meals were recommended.
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