Maternal minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021.

backgroundInadequate dietary diversity intake during pregnancy increases risks of intrauterine growth restriction, abortion, low birth weight, preterm birth, prenatal and infant mortality,and morbidity and has long-lasting health impacts. Dietary diversity during pregnancy promotes the health status of the mother and her fetus. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care.

methodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 274 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at Wacha primary hospital from January to February 2021. A systematic sampling method was used to select the study participants. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with maternal dietary diversity. Finally, multivariate logistic regression was done, and variables that showed P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

resultThe magnitude of minimum dietary diversity was 51% (95% CI: 44.5, 56.7). The mean (±SD) minimum dietary diversity score was 4.5 (± 1.268) with a minimum of 1 anda maximum of 8 food groups consumed out of ten food groups. Age fewer than 25 years (AOR 4.649; 95% CI; 1.404, 15.396), and the age group between 25 to 34 years (AOR 3.624; 95% CI: 1.315, 10.269), husband age group of 26 to 34 years (AOR 2.238; 95% CI; 1.028,4.873), and 35 to 44 years (AOR 3.555; 95% CI; 1.228,10.292) and nutrition awareness of women (AOR 2.182; 95% CI; 1.243, 3.829) were significantly associated with minimum dietary diversity.

conclusionThe consumption of minimum dietary diversity of the pregnant mothers was found to be low. Women aged less than 25 and age between 25 to 34 years, husband's age between 26 to 34 and 35 to 44 years, and nutrition awareness were the factors significantly associated with minimum dietary diversity. Therefore, providing nutrition education and counseling service warranted to promote maternal dietary diversity.