scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Deaconu ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background: The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods: Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n=61) and neighboring reference farmers (n=30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results: Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions: Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only strengthens productive pathways toward TF promotion, but also intensifies affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts them in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Deaconu ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background: The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods: Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n=61) and neighboring reference farmers (n=30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results: Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as likely drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions: Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only promotes the agricultural practices that are associated with TF production, but also appears to intensify affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts TFs in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Deaconu ◽  
◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n = 61) and neighboring reference farmers (n = 30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-h dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as likely drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only promotes the agricultural practices that are associated with TF production, but also appears to intensify affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts TFs in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Deaconu ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background: The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods: Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n=61) and neighboring reference farmers (n=30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results: Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as likely drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions: Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only promotes the agricultural practices that are associated with TF production, but also appears to intensify affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts TFs in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals ‘Sometimes you are forced to play God…’: a qualitative study of healthcare worker experiences of using continuous positive airway pressure in newborn care in Kenya

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e034668
Author(s):  
Helen M Nabwera ◽  
Jemma L Wright ◽  
Manasi Patil ◽  
Fiona Dickinson ◽  
Pamela Godia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Key Informant

​ObjectiveTo explore the experiences of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in newborn care among healthcare workers in Kenya, and to identify factors that would promote successful scale-up.​Design and settingA qualitative study using key informant interviews and focus group discussions, based at secondary and tertiary level hospitals in Kenya.​ParticipantsHealthcare workers in the newborn units providing CPAP.​Primary and secondary outcome measureFacilitators and barriers of CPAP use in newborn care in Kenya.​Results16 key informant interviews and 15 focus group discussions were conducted across 19 hospitals from September 2017 to February 2018. Main barriers reported were: (1) inadequate infrastructure to support the effective delivery of CPAP, (2) shortage of skilled staff rendering it difficult for the available staff to initiate or monitor infants on CPAP and (3) inadequate knowledge and training of staff that inhibited the safe care of infants on CPAP. Key facilitators reported were positive patient outcomes after CPAP use that increased staff confidence and partnership with caregivers in the management of newborns on CPAP. Healthcare workers in private/mission hospitals had more positive experiences of using CPAP in newborn care as the relevant support and infrastructure were available.​ConclusionCPAP use in newborn care is valued by healthcare workers in Kenya. However, we identified key challenges that threaten its safe use and sustainability. Further scale-up of CPAP in newborn care should ensure that staff members have ready access to optimal training on CPAP and that there are enough resources and infrastructure to support its use.EthicsThis study was approved through the appropriate ethics committees in Kenya and the UK (see in text) with written informed consent for each participant.

scholarly journals Dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeshalem Mulugeta ◽  
Getu Degu Alem ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
West Gojjam ◽  
West Gojjam Zone

Abstract Background: The optimal dietary practice is a critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. These may be due to their poor dietary habits. Identifying factors affecting the dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with a qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. A logistic regression analysis was done. Three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted for the qualitative data. Focus group discussion participants were mothers, husbands, and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and a favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study, lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition, and knowledge gap of the professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption. Keywords: Pregnant women, dietary practice, dietary diversity, food variety score

scholarly journals “Our culture prohibits some things”: Qualitative inquiry into how sociocultural context influences the scale up of community-based injectable contraceptives in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Akinyemi ◽  
Bronwyn Harris ◽  
Mary Kawonga
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Injectable Contraceptives ◽  
Depth Interviews

AbstractObjectivesTo explore how sociocultural factors may support or impede the adoption of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Nigeria.DesignA qualitative study based on a grounded theory approach was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.SettingMost participants lived in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. Other participants were from Ibadan (South West) and Abuja (Federal capital territory).ParticipantsThrough seven key informant interviews, 15 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions, 102 participants were involved in the study.MethodsThis study, conducted in 2016 was part of a larger study on scale up of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives. Qualitative data were collected from traditional and religious leaders, health workers and community members. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic framework method.ResultsSociocultural challenges to scale up included patriarchy and men’s fear of losing control over their spouses, traditional and religious beliefs about fertility, and myths about contraceptives and family planning. As a result of deep-rooted beliefs that children are ‘divine blessings’ and that procreation should not be regulated, participants described a subtle resistance to uptake of injectable contraceptives. Since Gombe is largely a patriarchal society, male involvement emerged as important to the success of meaningful innovation uptake. Community leaders largely described their participation in the scale up process as active, although they also identified scope for further involvement and recognition.ConclusionScale up is more than setting up health sector implementing structures, training health workers and getting innovation supplies, but also requires preparedness which includes paying attention to complex contextual issues. This requires the health system and those who work in it, to move beyond a narrow health ‘comfort zone’ by actively engaging with, and learning from, those who are leading, caring for and living in, the community.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe study participants represented a range of stakeholders - users of injectable contraceptives, community members, providers and health system managers.Our results highlighted that scale up is influenced by several socio-cultural factors; thus, showing the importance of paying attention to complex contextual issues during innovation uptake.The findings of our study emphasized how health systems and communities should interact in order to ensure successful scale up of health innovations.As with any qualitative study, the findings of this study are not statistically generalizable.FundingThis research was supported by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). CARTA is jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center and the University of the Witwatersrand and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant No--B 8606.R02), Sida (Grant No:54100113), the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant No: 107768/Z/15/Z) and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)’s Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK) and the UK government. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.Declarations of interestNone.

scholarly journals ‘Our culture prohibits some things’: qualitative inquiry into how sociocultural context influences the scale-up of community-based injectable contraceptives in Nigeria

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e035311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Oladapo Akinyemi ◽  
Bronwyn Harris ◽  
Mary Kawonga
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
North East ◽  
Injectable Contraceptives ◽  
Depth Interviews

ObjectivesTo explore how sociocultural factors may support or impede the adoption of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Nigeria.DesignA qualitative study based on inductive thematic analysis was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.SettingMost participants lived in Gombe State, North-East Nigeria. Other participants were from Ibadan (South-West) and Abuja (Federal Capital Territory).ParticipantsThrough seven key informant interviews, 15 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions, 102 participants were involved in the study.MethodsThis study conducted in 2016 was part of a larger study on scale-up of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives. Qualitative data were collected from traditional and religious leaders, health workers and community members. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic framework method.ResultsSociocultural challenges to scale-up included patriarchy and men’s fear of losing control over their spouses, traditional and religious beliefs about fertility, and myths about contraceptives and family planning. As a result of deep-rooted beliefs that children are ‘divine blessings’ and that procreation should not be regulated, participants described a subtle resistance to uptake of injectable contraceptives. Since Gombe is largely a patriarchal society, male involvement emerged as important to the success of meaningful innovation uptake. Community leaders largely described their participation in the scale-up process as active, although they also identified the scope for further involvement and recognition.ConclusionScale-up is more than setting up health sector implementing structures, training health workers and getting innovation supplies, but also requires preparedness which includes paying attention to complex contextual issues. Policy implementers should also see scale-up as a learning process and be willing to move at the speed of the community.

scholarly journals Managing violence against healthcare personnel in the emergency settings of Pakistan: a mixed methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044213
Author(s):  
Muhammad Naseem Khan ◽  
Ikram Khan ◽  
Zia Ul-Haq ◽  
Mirwais Khan ◽  
Faryal Baddia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intervention Hospital

ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a half-day training on de-escalation of violence against healthcare personnel regarding prevention and management of violence incidents versus a similar tertiary-level hospital with no such training. Secondary objectives were to compare the overall satisfaction, burnout, fear of violence and confidence in coping with patients’ aggression of the healthcare personnel in the two hospitals.DesignMixed method design, with a comparative cross-sectional (quantitative) and focus group discussions (qualitative) components.SettingEmergency departments of the two tertiary care hospitals in district Peshawar over 6 months starting from May 2018.ParticipantsHealthcare personnel in the emergency departments of the two hospitals (trained vs untrained).Outcome measuresViolence exposure (experienced/witnessed) assessed through a previously validated tool in the past 5 months. Burnout, confidence in coping with patient aggression and overall job satisfaction were also assessed through validated tools. The qualitative component explored the perceptions of healthcare personnel regarding the management of violence and the importance of training on de-escalation of violence through focus group discussions in the two hospitals.ResultsThe demographic characteristics of the healthcare personnel within the two hospitals were quite similar. The de-escalation training did not lead to a reduction in the incidences of violence; however, confidence in coping with patient aggression and the overall satisfaction were significantly improved in the intervention hospital. The de-escalation training was lauded by the respondents as led to an improvement in communication skills, and the healthcare personnel suggested for scale-up to all the cadres and hospitals.ConclusionThe study found significant improvements in the confidence of healthcare personnel in coping with patient aggression, along with better job satisfaction and less burnout in the intervention hospital following the de-escalation training.

scholarly journals Dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeshalem Mulugeta ◽  
Getu Degu Alem ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
West Gojjam ◽  
West Gojjam Zone

Abstract Background: The optimal dietary practice is critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. This may be due to their poor dietary habit. Identifying factors affecting dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. Logistic regression analysis was done. For qualitative data, three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted. . Focus group discussion participants were mother-in-lows, husbands and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. The tape-recorded interviews and FGDs were transcribed verbatim into Amharic language and then translated from Amharic to English. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and favorable attitude [AOR=1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition and knowledge gap of professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption to meet the nutrient requirements during pregnancy. Keywords: pregnant women, dietary practice, dietary diversity, food variety score

scholarly journals Dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeshalem Mulugeta Demilew ◽  
Getu Degu Alene ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
West Gojjam ◽  
West Gojjam Zone

Abstract Background The optimal dietary practice is a critical requisite for maternal nutrition. However, the majority of Ethiopian pregnant women have inadequate nutrient intakes. These may be due to their poor dietary habits. Identifying factors affecting the dietary practices of pregnant women is crucial to design appropriate interventions. In this country, the dietary practices of pregnant women and determinants are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the dietary practices and associated factors among pregnant women in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 pregnant women from May to August 2018. Quantitative data complemented with a qualitative method. Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were utilized for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Data were described using frequencies and mean. A logistic regression analysis was done. Three focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews were conducted for the qualitative data. Focus group discussion participants were mothers, husbands, and health professionals. Typical case and homogeneous sampling techniques were used for the key-informant interviews and focus group discussions, respectively. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results Only 19.9% of respondents had appropriate dietary practices. On the multivariable logistic regression analyses, being food secure [AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: (1.1, 4.5)], having high edible crop production [AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.2)] and a favorable attitude [AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.6)] were significantly associated with the appropriate dietary practices of pregnant women. In the qualitative study, lack of knowledge on maternal diet, cultural prohibition, and knowledge gap of the professionals were barriers that interfere with dietary practices during pregnancy. Conclusion Pregnant women in the study area are found to have suboptimal dietary practices. Therefore, health professionals should give regular nutrition counseling using cards and role models for promoting diversified food production and consumption.

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