Prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant women vising ANC clinic in Silte zone, southern Ethiopia
Abstract Background: Maternal undernutrition is highly prevalent in underdeveloped country. Hence, this study was intended to determine prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among pregnant women visiting ANC follow up clinics of health facilities.Method: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted from July to January 2019. Data was collected by using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured by standard non stretchable MUAC tape. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 422 study participants from 11 randomly selected health facilities. Sample size was allocated proportionately to each health facilities. Data was entered into a computer using Epi data 3.1 and edited, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Both bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses was employed to identify factors associated with maternal undernutrition.Result: This study found 91 (21.8%) of study subjects were undernourished. Age greater than 31 years of women (AOR=0.15; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.93), Birth intervals > 2 years (AOR= 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.76), good nutritional knowledge (AOR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.67), and having no dietary change as a result of current pregnancy AOR=6.02; 95% CI: 2.99, 12.14) were significantly associated with undernutrition.Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of undernutrition among pregnant women was 21.8 % indicates little decrement. Age of women, Birth intervals, and Dietary change as a result of current pregnancy and Nutrition knowledge were important risk factors/ predictors of undernutrition (MUAC < 23 cm). Government, and other concerned bodies should strength nutritional counseling of pregnant women at health setting and in community level with giving special emphasis to adolescent pregnant women (Age ≤20 years old).