Dietary Habits Associated with Anemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Services
Abstract Background Anemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of pregnant women and increases the risks of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Approximately 50% of all anemia is estimated to be caused by low dietary intake of iron, poor absorption of dietary iron, or blood loss. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and assess the dietary habits associated with anemia among pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Unguja Island, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted to select 338 pregnant women at Kivunge, Mwembeladu and Mnazimmoja hospitals from March to June, 2018. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using a HemoCue photometer on capillary blood. Sociodemographic data and dietary habits were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using the SPSS version 21.0. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the predictors of anemia among pregnant women. The overall prevalence of anemia was 80.8%. Of these 68.64% had mild anemia, 11.24% had moderate anemia and 0.89% had severe anemia. Anemia was significantly associated with inadequate dietary diversity (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.57–2.36, p < 0.05), drinking tea or coffee with meal (AOR = 0.06, 95%CI = 0.03–0.13, p < 0.001), consuming less than three meals per day (AOR = 2.92, 95%CI = 1.60–5.84, p < 0.001), higher education level (AOR = 3.4, 95%CI = 1.6–7.2, p < 0.0001), birth interval of less than two years (AOR = 3.6, 95%CI = 1.1–11.9, p < 0.05) and multigravida (AOR = 1.2, 95% = 0.3–4.4, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of anemia in this study demonstrates a severe public health problem among pregnant women. Inadequate dietary diversity coupled with inadequate daily meal intake and consumption of tea or coffee were the dietary habits predictors of anemia among pregnant women. Other predictors of anemia were higher education level, multigravida and birth interval of less than two years. Nutrition policy interventions are needed in order to complement antenatal care services by providing important information on healthy eating habits during pregnancy.