DIETARY DIVERSITY PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT URBAN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES IN SULULTA DISTRICT, OROMIA SPECIAL ZONE SURROUNDING FINFINE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: - Dietary diversity among mothers is a proxy for dietary sufficiency, and it benefits both the mother and the baby. However, low dietary diversity has serious consequences for mothers, fetuses, and infants. Dietary variety among pregnant women is still limited in low resource countries. There is limited information documented on maternal dietary diversity and associated variables in the study area. Objectives: - To assess dietary diversity practice and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at urban public health facilities in Sululta District, Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfine, Central Ethiopia 2022. Methodology: An Institutional based cross-sectional design was conducted from May to June,2022. A total of 414 mothers who had antenatal care follow up at urban public health facilities in Sululta District were interviewed. Systematic random sampling method was used on selected study participant. Data were entered in to Epi info version 7.2 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to describe the characteristic of the study participant put result and identify factors associated with dietary diversity. Result: - This study shows that 61.8% (95%CI:57-67%) of pregnant women had adequate dietary diversity. Having monthly income of 3501-5000 ETB (AOR=5.0143, 95% CI: 1.787 14.069) and above 5001(AOR=7.354, 95%CI: 2.408-22.458), attending secondary education (AOR=5.766, 95% CI :2.492-13.343), good knowledge (AOR=6.126,95%CI:2.700-13.899) and owning home gardening (AOR=5.492, 95%CI: 2.759-10.931) were factors positively associated with dietary diversity of pregnant women. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that the prevalence of adequate dietary diversity was low. Average monthly income, educational status, owning home garden and dietary knowledge were factors significantly associated with adequate dietary diversity practice. Therefore, attention should be paid to promote educational status, promote owning home garden practice and improve sustainable income generating activities through increases community awareness Keywords: Pregnant women, Dietary diversity, Sululta district, Central Ethiopia