Abstract:
Back ground: Dietary diversity is the number of foods consumed across and within food
groups over a reference period .It reflects the concept that increasing the variety of foods and
food groups in the diet helps to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients and promotes
good health .and wellbeing of lactating mothers However, they are major vulnerable group to
nutrition deficiency and related health problems due to a number of factors and little is
documented. The objective of this study is to assess dietary diversity and associated factors
among lactating mothers age (15-49) years in the study area.
.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 632 lactating
women from May to July 2022 in Angacha district. The study participants were chosen using
a multistage sampling and simple random sampling technique to select study participants and
data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. After coding, cleaning it
had entered into EPI-data entry 3.6 version and exported to SPSS Software version 26 for
analysis. Based on COR, AOR, P-value 0.05, and 95% Cl and descriptive analysis was
conducted for checking response rate of respondents. Variables with a p value of less than
0.25 were entered into multiple logistic regression model to identify the significantly
associated factors of dietary diversity of lactating mothers. A P value of <0.05 was
considered as a cutoff point to decide statistical significance.
Result: Out of 632 LW aged 15–49 years , almost all of them were interviewed with a
response rate of 100% .The proportion of low DDS was about two-third of 413( 65.3% )
and about 219 (34,7% ) had high DDS. In the multivariable analysis after adjusting variables
not received nutrition education [AOR=4.17;95%CI (2.69,6.46)] and those who did not have
husband support [AOR =1.53;95%CI (1.07,,2.16) ], Illness among LW [ AOR =2.5; 95%CI
(1.66,3.97 ) ], were significantly associated with dietary diversity and they have negative
effect on high DD.
Conclusion: Substantial proportion of LW experience low DD. This is Due to the diets
predominantly starchy staple, and few fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other associated
factors. This low DD was significantly associated with lack of nutrition education, lack of
husband support, not consuming variety food, and Illness. The results imply the need for
attention should be paid requiring to the identified factors of low DD. And strengthening
community and institution based nutrition education, health care services with involving
IV
relevant stack holders to improve dietary diversification in this area, the accessibility of
micronutrient-rich foods and health of mothers with their outcomes.
