ABSTRACT
Poor dietary intake among pregnant women has serious detrimental consequences for pregnancy and offspring both in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to assess dietary intake and associated risk factors among pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbeya, Tanzania with a sample size of 420 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics to assess the factors associated with dietary intake. Dietary intake was assessed using a piloted questionnaire of the Prime Diet Quality Score. A tested standard questionnaire was also used to collect factors that are associated with dietary intake among pregnant women. The strengths of the associations between the dependent and independent variables were tested using the Pearson chi-square tests and the multivariate log-binomial regression method was performed to calculate the adjusted risk ratios (ARR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study revealed that out of 420 pregnant women who participated in this study only 12.6% and 29.3% consumed at least four servings of fruits and vegetables per week respectively. Poor dietary intakes were less likely among cohabiting pregnant women [Adjusted RR 0.22 (95% CI 0.09-0.50)] and; those who reported taking Fansidar tablets during the pregnancy [Adjusted RR 0.55 (95% CI 0.31-0.96)]. Further, we found that poor dietary intakes were more likely among pregnant women who were classified as overweight and obesity by the MUAC above 33cm [Adjusted RR 3.49 (95% CI 1.10-11.06)]. The study results affirm that cohabitation and obesity affect dietary intakes among pregnant women differently compared to married women in rural settings of Tanzania. Further research is needed to investigate the social aspects that link dietary intake outcomes for developing a tailored gestational intervention to improve maternal and birth outcomes in sub-Saharan African countries.
ABSTRACT
Anaemia is a global public health issue, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia and to identify factors associated with the condition among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Mbeya Region of Tanzania. A cross sectional study was conducted with 420 pregnant women (<28 weeks of gestation) attending antenatal visits in the 7 districts of the Mbeya Region. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and eating habits using a 24hours dietary recall. A blood sample was collected and tested for hemoglobin content using the HemoCue 201+. Multivariate analysis was performed using standard logistic regression to explore the association between anaemia status with socio-demographic, reproductive and nutritional factors. Overall prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women was 25.5%. Out of 107 pregnant women diagnosed with anaemia and, sixty six had mild anaemia. In a multivariate logistical regression analysis anaemic women was associated with pregnant women coming from lower socio-economic status [adjusted OR = 2.40, 95%CI (1.05, 5.48)]. Moreover, anaemia was less associated with pregnant women who were living in Mbeya district council [adjusted OR = 0.28, 95%CI (0.11, 0.72)], consume at least once a day dark green leafy vegetables [adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI (0.30, 0.94)], and vegetable liquid cooking oil [adjusted OR = 0.56, 95% CI (0.34, 0.98)]. The prevalence of anaemia among the pregnant women falls in the category of moderate public health problem according to the WHO classification. Low socio-economic status, consumption of green leafy vegetables and vegetable liquid cooking oil were significantly and independently associated with anaemia during pregnancy. Thus, special attention should be given to pregnant women who are in lower socio-economic status and those not consuming vegetables. Interventions that integrate health and nutrition education in reproductive and child health clinics are needed to combat anaemia.
