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Undernutrition and Its Predictors Among Pregnant Women in Semipastoral Communities of Southwest Ethiopia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Maternal undernutrition poses significant risks to maternal, fetal, and child health, leading to long-term and irreversible consequences such as growth failure. This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bachuma Primary Hospital in Southwest Ethiopia. Using an institution-based cross-sectional design, 346 randomly selected pregnant women were assessed for nutritional status based on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), with values below 23 cm indicating undernutrition. Data analysis revealed that 31.5% of pregnant women were undernourished (95% CI: 26.6%-36.7%). Predictors of undernutrition included low dietary diversity scores (< 5) (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.06-3.33)), consuming fewer than three meals daily (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI (1.29-6.36)), high parity (gravida six or more) (AOR = 4.98; 95% CI (1.06-23.4)), and intestinal parasitic infections (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI (1.58-5.18)). The study highlights the urgent need for interventions such as enhanced dietary counseling, improved maternal nutrition practices, and the screening and treatment of parasitic infections to mitigate undernutrition in this population.

Source: Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1155/jnme/8530014

Authors: Getaneh Workineh, Abyot Asres

Institution: Mizan Tepi University

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Water Access

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000