Dietary Practices and Their Determinants Among Pregnant Women in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study is therefore designed to assess dietary practices and its determinant among pregnant women in Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed at Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia from May to June 2018 among 351 study participants. The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula. Pregnant women were identified by health extension workers. A lottery method was used to select each pregnant woman. Sample was drawn proportionally based on the number of pregnant women in each selected kebele (small administrative unit). The dietary practice of pregnant women was determined by using ten items. Knowledge of pregnant women about dietary consumption was assessed by using 8 questions. Attitude towards dietary practice was assessed by asking 9 attitude questions. Data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and cleaned and analyzed by using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 24. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with dietary practices. Results: In this study, 113 (32.2%) of study participants had good dietary practices. The mean (standard deviation) age of study participants was 29±5.9years. Over one-third (76.9%) of mothers were housewives. Regarding knowledge and attitude, 45.6% and 42.8% of respondents had good dietary knowledge and a positive attitude, respectively. Educational status (adjusted odds ratio 2.72; 95% CI; 1.46–5.07), monthly income (AOR; 3.01, 95% CI; 1.19–7.63), antenatal follow-up (AOR; 0.46, 95% CI; 0.23–0.94), knowledge (AOR; 2.32, 95% CI; 1.23–4.37) and attitude (AOR; 1.9, 95%C; 1.03–3.52) were determinants of dietary practices. Conclusion: Less than one-third of pregnant women (32.2%) presented good dietary practices. Educational status of the mother, monthly income, ANC visit, knowledge, and attitude were the factors that affect the dietary practices of pregnant women. Since dietary practices of pregnant women are relatively low in the current study, community-based nutrition education specifically on intake of both micro- and macronutrients during pregnancy should be considered by the federal and regional governments of Ethiopia.