Author(s): Mitsiwat Abebe Gebremichael1*, Ashebir Endale Reta2, Melese Sinaga Teshome3 Tefera Belachew Lema
Objective: To assess nutritional and health practice and associated factors among pregnant women based on the Essential Nutrition Action (ENA) framework.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design with quantitative data collection method was employed from June 1, 2018 to April 1, 2018 in Ambo district. A multi-stage sampling technique was used among 750 pregnant women aged 18-49 years. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and lastly multivariate binary logistic regressions analysis was used to control confounders. P value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.
Results: The overall optimal nutrition and health practice of pregnant women in the study area was 205 (27.3%). Respondent occupation being farmer with (AOR=0.258, 95% CI:0.070, 0.955), husband occupation being merchant with (AOR=2.964, 95% CI:1.074, 8.181), husband educational status (being grade 5-8 with (AOR=2.097, 95% CI:1.045, 4.207), being grade 9-12 with (AOR=4.646, 95% CI:2.243, 9.621), having diploma and higher education with (AOR =6.825, 95%CI: 2.254, 20.669), gravida (AOR=0.461, 95% CI:0.126, 0.980), Antenatal care visit (AOR=35.134, 95%CI: 16.150, 76.430) and having health and nutrition information (AOR=2.328, 95%CI: 1.394, 3.888) were significantly associated with nutritional and health practice.
Conclusions: According to current study, the overall optimal nutrition and health practice of pregnant women in the study area was low. Respondent occupation, husband occupation, husband educational status, gravida, Antenatal care visit and having health and nutrition information were significantly associated with nutritional and health practice.
