SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpublic health, epidemiology

cross-sectional·public health, epidemiology, nutrition, obstetrics and gynecology, clinical nutrition·PMC10007751

Prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women and its differences across relevant subgroups in rural Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition · 4 authors, 3 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATION550 pregnant women randomly selected from six districts in rural southern Ethiopia

INTERVENTION

COMPARISON

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional study of 550 pregnant women in rural Ethiopia found a 38% prevalence of undernutrition, with significantly higher odds among women with a history of multiple pregnancies, miscarriage, food taboos, or no nutritional counseling.

Full summary

813 CHARS

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 30 to May 30, 2019, on 550 randomly selected pregnant women in rural southern Ethiopia. Trained nurses measured undernutrition via mid-upper arm circumference and collected data. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression was used for analysis. The study found a 38% prevalence of undernutrition. Significantly higher odds of undernutrition were associated with previous pregnancy (AOR: 1.66), history of miscarriage (AOR: 3.18), practicing food taboos (AOR: 2.23), and not receiving nutritional counseling (AOR: 2.97). The prevalence was almost 70% among women with multiple pregnancies and a miscarriage history. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inferences, and potential over-fitting in subgroup analysis.

PICO

PPOPULATION

550 pregnant women randomly selected from six districts in rural southern Ethiopia

OOUTCOME

Undernutrition measured by mid-upper arm circumference

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

public health

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10007751

Prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women and its differences across relevant subgroups in rural Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Background Maternal undernutrition is one of the commonest public health problems in many low- and middle-income countries where generally more than 20% of women are undernourished. It is more common in rural areas due to unclear factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of undernutrition in general and in subgroups and determine risk factors among pregnant women in rural Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 30 to May 30, 2019 on 550 pregnant women who were randomly selected from six districts in southern Ethiopia. Trained and experienced nurses measured undernutrition using mid-upper arm circumference and collected other data. We used multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression to identify factors associated with undernutrition among pregnant women. Results The prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women was 38% (95% CI: (34.2–42.3). The odds of undernutrition was higher among women who got pregnant previously (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.02–2.71), who had a history of miscarriage (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.77–5.70), who practiced food taboos (AOR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.47–3.39), and who did not get any nutritional counseling during pregnancy (AOR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.79- 4.95). The prevalence of undernutrition was higher among pregnant women who had multiple risk factors and the difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Undernutrition is a highly prevalent problem among rural Ethiopian pregnant women, especially with those who avoid food, do not get counseled, and had two or more pregnancies and a history of miscarriage. Improving the integration of nutrition programs with routine healthcare services and encouraging a multi-sectorial intervention strategy would help to reduce maternal undernutrition in the country.

CITATION EXPORT

Nana Chea, Yadessa Tegene, Ayalew Astatkie et al.. Prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women and its differences across relevant subgroups in rural Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-023-00358-6

AUTHORS

4 · 3 CENTRES

Nana Chea, Yadessa Tegene, Ayalew Astatkie, Mark Spigt

1grid.192268.60000 0000 8953 2273School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O.Box: 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
2grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099School CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
3grid.10919.300000000122595234General Practice Research Unit, Department of Community Medicine, The Arctic University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway