Feeding practices, nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women in Samre Woreda, South Eastern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundLactating mothers from low-income settings are considered as a nutritionally vulnerable group. Due to the nursing process, mothers are subjected to nutritional stresses. Frequent pregnancies followed by lactation increase the health risk of mothers resulting in a high maternal mortality.ObjectiveTo assess the feeding practices, nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women from Samre Woreda, South Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia.DesignCommunity based cross-sectional surveySettingFour kebeles of Samre Woreda (2 urban & 2 rural kebeles)MethodsFour hundred lactating mothers were recruited from 400 randomly selected households. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, maternal characteristics, feeding practices, frequency of foods eaten and dietary diversity was collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken from each mother using calibrated equipments and standardized techniques. A one-day weighed food record was also collected from randomly selected sub sample (n=60) of mothers. The nutrient and energy content of foods consumed by the mothers was calculated by using ESHA Food Processor and the Ethiopian Food Composition Tables. To investigate the socio-economic and demographic factors affecting the nutritional status of the women, logistic regression was used. ANOVA and t-test were also used to see if there was a mean difference in nutritional status among the lactating mothers.ResultsMajority (71.2%) of the participants did not take additional meals during lactation. The median dietary diversity score of the study participants was 5 out of 14 food groups. The prevalence of underweight, chronic energy deficiency and stunting were 31%, 25% and 2.2% respectively. Using logistic regression model, factors significantly associated with the nutritional status of the study participants (as determined by BMI and MUAC) were size of farm land, length of years of marriage, maize cultivation, frequency of antenatal care visit and age of breastfeeding child.ConclusionsThe feeding practices, dietary intakes and nutritional status of the lactating women were short of the national and international recommendations. Therefore, sustained health and nutrition education is recommended to the women and their families and communities on increased food intake, proper dietary practices and dietary diversification during lactation in order to improve health and nutrition outcomes of lactating women.

Modern Family Planning Use and its Relationship with the Nutritional Status of Women of Child Bearing Age at Tena District, Arsi Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia 2013: A Community based Case Control Study

“…But higher than the prevalence in Pakistan [34] and lower than study in Ethiopia by EHNRI 2010 (29%) [35], in South-western Ethiopia (35%) [31]. The mean MUAC of the study participants was comparable with previously done study done in Northern part of Ethiopia [32]. When woman is not using modern family planning method, she is more likely to have frequent deliveries, heavy blood loss, may experience abortions and will have large family size.…”

“…The mean weight was higher than Bangladesh study [30], in Ethiopia [31,32]. The differences noted could be explained by seasonal variation, i.e.…”

“…The prevalence of underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2 ) among the women in this study was 26.7%, is almost similar to the EDHS 2005 and 2010 data (27%) [15,33], Northern part of Ethiopia (25%) [32]. But higher than the prevalence in Pakistan [34] and lower than study in Ethiopia by EHNRI 2010 (29%) [35], in South-western Ethiopia (35%) [31].…”

Household Food Insecurity, Low Dietary Diversity, and Early Marriage Were Predictors for Undernutrition among Pregnant Women Residing in Gambella, Ethiopia

“…Undernourished pregnant woman has higher reproductive risks including death during or after child birth [6,7,11]. Many women suffer from combination of chronic energy deficiency, poor weight gain 2 Advances in Public Health during pregnancy, anemia, and other micronutrient deficiency.…”

Perbedaan Status Gizi Bayi Berumur 4–6 Bulan Pada Pemberian Asi Eksklusif Dengan Asi Non Eksklusif

“…Masih dijumpai kebiasaan yang salah dalam pemberian ASI dan MP ASI. MP ASI yang diberikan terlalu dini dapat berdampak pada status gizi (Haileslassie, et al, 2013).…”