Abstract:
Background: Improving maternal nutrition practices during pregnancy is crucial for saving
lives and improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite the fact that pregnant
women's knowledge and practice of maternal nutrition are vital for developing effective methods
to combat malnutrition, promote healthier eating habits, and reduce maternal and infant
morbidity and mortality, no research has been conducted in this area.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practice of maternal nutrition and
associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Sheko Woreda, Bench Sheko zone, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1to 30, 2022, and a
systematic sampling technique was used to select pregnant women in Sheko woreda health
centers. A pretested structured an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Data was
entered into epi info version 4.6 and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science
version 26. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression model were fitted
to identify factors associated with pregnant women’s knowledge and practice of nutrition p value<0.05
Result: A total of 367(98.1%) respondents were effectively responded to the study and of
pregnant women’s knowledge and practice of maternal nutrition were 31.3% (95% CI: 27.0-
36.2) and 28.3% (95%CI: 24.0-33.0) respectively. Maternal age ≥35 years [AOR=3.155(1.296-
7.684]), occupation (employee [AOR=5.024(1.733-14.563)], having nutritional information
[AOR=2.572(1.349-4.905)] and education (diploma and above [AOR=6.216(1.966-19.658)] and
family income >5000ETB) [AOR=7.477(2.014-27.752)] were significantly associated with
knowledge of maternal nutrition. Furthermore, multigravida [AOR=4.106(1.634-10.321)],
maternal’s occupation [(employees [AOR=5.120(1.035-16.722)], being knowledgeable on
maternal nutrition [AOR=3.039(1.419-6.505)], husband involvement [AOR=2.234(1.035-
4.822)], husband’s occupation (employee (AOR=9.439(3.159-28.207))) and women education
(diploma and above [AOR=4.451(1.238-16.001)] were statistically significant factors associated
with good practice of pregnant women’s on maternal nutrition
Conculusion and recommendation: The study showed that the majority of pregnant women were
not knowledgeable and had poor practice of maternal nutrition. The responsible body should
focused on regular nutrition education, maternal education, and inspire husband involvement to
improve women’s knowledge and practice of maternal nutrition during pregnancy
