Frontiers in Pediatrics (Sep 2022)

Antenatal care utilization and nutrition counseling are strongly associated with infant and young child feeding knowledge among rural/semi-urban women in Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia

  • Aklilu Abrham Roba,
  • Assefa Tola,
  • Desta Dugassa,
  • Maleda Tefera,
  • Tadese Gure,
  • Teshager Worku,
  • Awugchew Teshome Ayele,
  • Tamirat Tesfaye Dasa,
  • Hailemariam Mekonnen Workie,
  • Melese Mengistu Asfaw,
  • Abiyot Asfaw,
  • Firehiwot Mesfin,
  • Lemma Demissie Regassa,
  • Yadeta Dessie,
  • Fitsum Abera,
  • Meron Yeshitila,
  • Meskerem Girma,
  • Muluken Gezahagn,
  • Feven Tezera,
  • Nega Assefa,
  • Kedir Teji Roba

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.1013051
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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There is a gap in evidence linking antenatal care (ANC) utilization, nutrition counseling, and knowledge of pregnant women about infant and young child feeding (IYCF), particularly in low-income settings. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the association between ANC follow-up and nutrition counseling with IYCF knowledge. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 pregnant women in the rural kebeles of the Harari region from January to June 2019. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews on tablet computers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed. An adjusted odds ratio (with 95% CI) was used to determine the strength of association between IYCF knowledge with ANC follow-up and nutrition counseling by adjusting for educational status, occupation, gravida, and distance to the nearest health center. Overall, 54.4% [95% CI 49.2, 59.2] of currently pregnant women were knowledgeable about IYCF of which only 20% started ANC follow-up and 24.4% received nutrition counseling. Out of 288 multigravida women, only 51.4% had ANC follow-up during their last pregnancy. In the adjusted model, ANC follow-up during the current pregnancy (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07–3.22), those who received nutrition counseling (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.09–3.38), literate in education (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.07–2.73), multigravida (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.12–3.43), and far from the nearest health center (AOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) were significantly associated with the mothers IYCF knowledge. Thus, health care providers should encourage mothers to attend ANC during pregnancy and provide nutrition counseling about the IYCF.

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