Knowledge and Practice of Maternal Nutrition and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Sheko Woreda, Bench-Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022

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