Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Background Anaemia is a major public health problem during pregnancy, especially in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Poor diet patterns are common contributors to anaemia. This study assessed the dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in S...

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Main Authors: Kassahun Ayele, Meron Demisew
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-07-01
Series:BMJ Public Health
Online Access:https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000368.full
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author Kassahun Ayele
Meron Demisew
author_facet Kassahun Ayele
Meron Demisew
author_sort Kassahun Ayele
collection DOAJ
description Background Anaemia is a major public health problem during pregnancy, especially in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Poor diet patterns are common contributors to anaemia. This study assessed the dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia.Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2021 among 367 pregnant women who were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, obstetric and dietary data. The nutritional status of pregnant women was assessed using a mid-upper arm circumference measuring tape, and haemoglobin levels were tested using the haematocrit centrifugation technique. The data were analysed using SPSS V.21. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess dietary factors associated with anaemia and p<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.Results Dietary pattern predictors such as meal frequency (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.27, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.59), meat consumption frequency (AOR=4.05, 95% CI: 2.46, 33.65), fruit and vegetable consumption frequency (AOR=2.88, 95% CI: 2.08, 26.81), Dietary Diversity Score (AOR=12.81, 95% CI: 3.93, 41.75), food aversion (AOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.47) and undernutrition (AOR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.64) were significantly associated with anaemia.Conclusion Predictors of dietary pattern, such as meal frequency, Dietary Diversity Score, food aversion, meat consumption frequency, fruit and vegetable consumption frequency, and undernutrition were significantly associated with anaemia among pregnant women in the study area. Therefore, healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders should pay special attention to maternal dietary patterns to address the identified factors. Programmes should be developed and implemented to improve optimal dietary patterns and proper nutrition during pregnancy to overcome anaemia and other pregnancy complications.
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spelling doaj-art-7bca9a1fa3a64af8a2450d7c85f7ee8f2025-01-28T16:10:15ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Public Health2753-42942024-07-012110.1136/bmjph-2023-000368Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional studyKassahun Ayele0Meron Demisew1Food and Nutritional Sciences, Wollega University, Shambu, Oromia, EthiopiaFood and Nutritional Sciences, Wollega University, Shambu, Oromia, EthiopiaBackground Anaemia is a major public health problem during pregnancy, especially in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Poor diet patterns are common contributors to anaemia. This study assessed the dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia.Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2021 among 367 pregnant women who were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, obstetric and dietary data. The nutritional status of pregnant women was assessed using a mid-upper arm circumference measuring tape, and haemoglobin levels were tested using the haematocrit centrifugation technique. The data were analysed using SPSS V.21. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess dietary factors associated with anaemia and p<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.Results Dietary pattern predictors such as meal frequency (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.27, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.59), meat consumption frequency (AOR=4.05, 95% CI: 2.46, 33.65), fruit and vegetable consumption frequency (AOR=2.88, 95% CI: 2.08, 26.81), Dietary Diversity Score (AOR=12.81, 95% CI: 3.93, 41.75), food aversion (AOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.47) and undernutrition (AOR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.64) were significantly associated with anaemia.Conclusion Predictors of dietary pattern, such as meal frequency, Dietary Diversity Score, food aversion, meat consumption frequency, fruit and vegetable consumption frequency, and undernutrition were significantly associated with anaemia among pregnant women in the study area. Therefore, healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders should pay special attention to maternal dietary patterns to address the identified factors. Programmes should be developed and implemented to improve optimal dietary patterns and proper nutrition during pregnancy to overcome anaemia and other pregnancy complications.https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000368.full
spellingShingle Kassahun Ayele
Meron Demisew
Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
BMJ Public Health
title Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
title_full Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
title_short Dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Sekota town, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study
title_sort dietary factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in sekota town northern ethiopia a facility based cross sectional study
url https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000368.full
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