Pregnant mothers’ knowledge, attitude, practice and its predictors towards nutrition in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Insufficient nutrition can predisposes women to infection, pregnancy losses, preeclampsia and anaemia as well birth of underweight baby whose survival is threatened. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess pregnant mothers’ nutrition knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 participants who were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected using a structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire, which consisted of questions on sociodemographic features, obstetrics characteristics and pregnant women’s nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical version 23. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors. All variables with p -value of < 0.23 in bivariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis, and finally, statistical significance was declared at p -value < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Result: From 378 women participated, a total of 231 (61.1%) respondents were in age range of 25–34 years. About 148 (39.1%) of women were not knowledgeable, 153 (40.5%) had an unfavourable attitude, and 47.7% had poor dietary practice. Knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 4.5; 95% confidence interval: 2.88, 10.06, p = 0.03), attitude (adjusted odds ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval: 2.43, 6.66, p = 0.04) and practice (adjusted odds ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval: 2.43, 6.66, p = 0.036) were all significantly associated with maternal education. Regarding their occupation, merchant women were seven times (adjusted odds ratio = 7.02; 95% confidence interval: 2.88, 17.09, p = 0.01) more likely to have knowledge and government employees were six times (adjusted odds ratio = 6.05; 95% confidence interval: 3.58, 13.05, p = 0.04) more likely to be knowable than housewives. Moreover, multiparous women were 4.77 times (adjusted odds ratio = 4.77; 95% confidence interval: 1.15, 8.66, p = 0.002) more likely to be knowledgeable compared to primigravida women. Monthly income was also associated to attitude (adjusted odds ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval: 0.10, 1.66, p = 0.03). Women who had a favourable attitude were five times (adjusted odds ratio = 5.25; 95% confidence interval: 2.36, 9.62, p = 0.04) more likely to have good nutritional practices during pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude and practice towards nutrition in this area were low. The educational status of women was associated with knowledge; attitude and practice. Likewise, occupation and parity were associated with knowledge; and attitude was also found to be a determinant factor of nutritional practice. Therefore, community nutritional education and antenatal nutritional counselling need to be strengthened in the area.