Abstract:
Background: Undernutrition is a global health problem affecting more women in developing
countries. Woman in sub-Saharan Africa, south east and south central Asia are most affected.
Malnutrition causes 300,000 deaths per year and is indirectly responsible for about half of all
deaths in young children. Maternal malnutrition in Ethiopia is higher than the level for any
African countries. Although there are studies on maternal Undernutrition, they have not
included factors like household food security status, meal pattern and dietary diversity.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of Undernutrition and associated factors among pregnant
women.
Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2015 at
Nigest Ellieni Mohamed General Hospital. A total of 211 pregnant women who came for ante
natal care services were selected using systematic sampling methods. Data were collected using
a structured interviewer administered questionnaire.Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was
measured using adult MUAC tape. The data were edited, coded, entered into EPI data version
3.2.1, and exported to SPS for windows version 20 for analyses. Descriptive statistics and
bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors
associated with under nutrition. P values < 0.05 were considered for declaring statistical
significance. Results: All the 211 were interviewed giving response rate of 100%. On average
24.6% of the pregnant women were undernourished. On multivariable regression model, after
adjusting for various variables, indepedendent predictors of under nutrition were frequency of
meal consumption less than three times per day(AOR:, 2.601,95%CI: 1.036-6.535 , P=0.044
)earning a monthly income of greater than two thousand Birr per month(AOR: 0.319 95%CI:
0.113-0.903 , P= 0.002), having a dietary diversity score of less than 5(AOR:, 12.393, 95%CI
2.607-58.920:, P=0.0001 ) Conclusion and recommendations: The findings large proportions
of women are undernourished in the study area. Low monthly income, low dietary diversity and
inadequate meal frequency were independent predictors of under nutrition. . Enhancing
intervention maternal nutrition during pregnancy focusing of diversification of diet and the
importance of having additional meal during pregnancy through the health extension workers
and women’s development army is essential to curb the problem of maternal malnutrition in the
study area.
