Dietary diversity and associated factors among lactating mothers In angacha district south ethiopia, 2022

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.