Research Article
Dietary Diversity and Household Income Status Among Pregnant Women in Mbulu District, Tanzania
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2025
Pages:
48-63
Received:
27 January 2025
Accepted:
20 February 2025
Published:
7 March 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.jfns.20251302.11
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Abstract: Introduction: Dietary diversity ensures that pregnant women consume the necessary range of nutrients from various food groups for the best possible outcomes for maternal health. Maternal health and fetal development are weakened by nutrient deficits caused by inadequate dietary diversity, typified by income constraints, and frequently restricted consumption of varied food categories. This study aimed to assess pregnant women's dietary diversity and household income status in Mbulu district, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used among 384 pregnant women. Pregnant women were selected by using a systematic random sampling method. Eight health facilities were selected using a purposive sampling method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained enumerators using a structured questionnaire that was divided into three sections to collect information on (i) socio-demographic characteristics, (ii) Dietary diversity, and (iii) Household income status. The Pearson Chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were used to compare and test the association of dietary diversity and household income status to pregnant women's characteristics. Dietary diversity was evaluated using the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score (MDDS), while household income status was measured through income and expenditure data. Results: The findings revealed that about 43% of pregnant women had inadequate dietary diversity, while 57% had adequate dietary diversity. Dietary diversity was significantly associated with residential location areas (p = 0.016), education level (p = 0.045), and family size (p= 0.041). Results from logistic regression analysis showed that dietary diversity was associated with having residence in rural Mbulu district areas (OR = 0.357, p-value < 0.003), having a secondary education level (OR = 3.958, p-value < 0.007) and no formal education (OR = 1.122, p-value < 0.02), having average monthly household Income (OR = 4.934, p-value < 0.000) and husband (male partner) support (OR = 3.713, p-value < 0.001). Additionally, results from Chi-square test an average monthly household income (p = 0.001), food budget expenditure (p = 0.018), and food expenditure ability (p =0.000) were significantly associated with dietary diversity among pregnant women (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, forty-three pregnant women had inadequate dietary diversity due to lower-income household level restricting access to diverse and nutritious food groups. Therefore, policymakers should encourage more dietary diversity and general maternal health requirements to raise sustainable household income-generating activities and improve nutrition education programs.
Abstract: Introduction: Dietary diversity ensures that pregnant women consume the necessary range of nutrients from various food groups for the best possible outcomes for maternal health. Maternal health and fetal development are weakened by nutrient deficits caused by inadequate dietary diversity, typified by income constraints, and frequently restricted co...
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,
Happiness Muhimbula
