Whereas, wealth quintile and ability to consume craved food were factors associated with the nutritional status of pregnant women. Age of women (20-34 years), government employed, Antenatal Care (ANC), Pica practice, lowest wealth quintile, and skipping meals were statistically associated with food cravings. About one-third, 194 (36.6%) of the study participants were undernourished (MUAC < 23 cm). Meat (71.5%) and Fruits (41.7%) were the most frequently craved. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) together with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) used to declare statistical significance.ResultsThe study found that nearly three in five, 309 (58.3%) of the study participants reported food cravings. Principal component analysis used to determine the wealth status of the study participants. The bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression used to identify the possible factors of food cravings. The data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS IBM version 20. Pre-tested and semistructured face-to-face interview questionnaires used to collect the data. Therefore, this study aimed to assess magnitude and effects of food cravings on nutritional status of pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 586 randomly selected pregnant mothers at Sidama Regional State from June 1-20, 2019. However, the nutritional and anthropometric consequences are not well recognized. Food aversion, craving and pica practicing should be investigated during antenatal follow-up, and advice should be offered.įood cravings is a strong and intense urge to consume a specific food and reported as being associated with overweight and overall caloric intake in pregnant women. This study showed that the study participants had poor nutritional status. Unhealthy cravings for non-food items should be discouraged as there is no known nutritional benefit of such habit and can lead to intestinal problems like abdominal pain, constipation and infection. Since food aversions, cravings and pica practicing are closely linked to meal pattern of pregnant woman, understanding these behaviors is important in addressing the issue of maternal nutrition in a pregnant woman. From the total study participants, 67.9% of pregnant women were avoiding at least one food during their pregnancy period. The logistic regression and multiple linear regressions were carried out. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select a representative sample. To know prevalence of these practices and their association with nutritional status of pregnant women, community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 605 pregnant women in Dale Woreda, Sidama zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPRS), Ethiopia. Although pica behavior is practiced globally, it is more prevalent within African countries. They are documented starting from long period of time, and their prevalence varies from 50 to 90% of pregnant women. Food aversions, cravings and pica during pregnancy are commonly known all over the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |