ABSTRACT
Objectives: To assess dietary practices, nutritional status and associated factors among pregnant women in study area. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was employed for the study. Two-stage cluster sampling was used. 153 pregnant women aged 19-49 years were the subjects. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated from one day weighed food records on a sub-sample (n = 77). Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Energy intake of study participants in 2nd and 3rd trimesters pregnancy were 2308 kcal for 2340 kcal and 1420.5 kcal for 2452 kcal. Vitamin A intake was 3 micro grams for 800 micro grams. Protein intake of the study respondents in 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancy was 45.9 g and 31.5 g for 71 g. Majority (75.2%) of study participants did not take additional meal during pregnancy. 69.3% skipped one of their regular meals. As indicated by mid upper arm circumference a total of 9.2% of the study subjects were undernourished. Factors associated with nutritional status and dietary practices were number of pregnancy, consumption of cereal foods, household size, growing khat and vegetables. Conclusions: Energy and the nutrient intake of study participants were lower than recommended intakes. Dietary practices and nutritional status of study participants were not adequate to support their increased energy and nutrient requirement.