Dietary Intake Habit and State of Anaemia Among Women Who Gave Birth at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Teaching Hospital, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy—a physiologically demanding process—is impacted by dietary intake of the mother before and during pregnancy. Anaemia, one of the problems that occur during pregnancy, is believed to exist due to several factors including poor dietary intake. Aim of the Study: This study, therefore, is aimed at examining the relationship between anaemia and dietary intake among pregnant women who came for delivery in the Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Methods: This study was a facility-based, cross-sectional study which involved 264 pregnant women during the time of delivery service in the Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Study subjects were enrolled in the study until the required sample size was reached. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to find predictors of anaemia. Statistically significant predictors of severe anaemia were identified at P-value <0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: As many as 264 pregnant women participated in this study. In this study, the intake of fruits is found to be a good indicator of anaemia with (AOR=3.64, 95% CI: 1.69–7.86). Eating habit was also a statistically significant predictor of anaemia (AOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.07–0.98) along with dietary diversification score with AOR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.19–8.71. Conclusion: This study identified that fruits are strong predictors of anaemia. Health education of pregnant women in relation to fruit intake during pregnancy is mandatory.

Keywords: Anaemia, dietary intake, pregnancy, Ayder, hospital

Cite this Article

Mengistu Mitiku, Yirga Ebuy, Mussie Alemayehu, Zinabu Asfaw. Dietary Intake Habit and State of Anaemia among Women Who Gave Birth at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Teaching Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions. 2019; 9(3): 31–36p.