Workneh F, Tsegaye S, Amanuel H, Eglovitch M, Shifraw T, Shiferie F, Tadesse AW, Worku A, Isanaka S, Lee ACC, Berhane Y. Dietary Perspectives and Practices during Pregnancy in Rural Amhara Region of Ethiopia: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.
Curr Dev Nutr 2023;
7:100079. [PMID:
37250386 PMCID:
PMC10209480 DOI:
10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100079]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Nutrition during pregnancy has lifelong impacts on the mother and fetus. In Ethiopia, nearly a third of pregnant women experience undernutrition. When designing nutrition interventions during pregnancy, it is important to understand existing dietary perspectives and practices in local communities.
Objectives
To explore the processes that shape dietary perspectives and practices during pregnancy in rural West Gojjam and South Gondar Zones of the Amhara region in Ethiopia.
Methods
From October to November 2018, we conducted 40 in-depth interviews with pregnant women (n = 16), family members (n = 12), and healthcare providers (n = 12) using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were conducted in Amharic, transcribed in Amharic, and translated into English. We used a thematic analysis approach to organize data per the predefined topic areas and identify emerging themes, as well as barriers and enablers to healthy nutrition during pregnancy.
Results
Pregnant women and their family members recognized the benefits of a diversified diet to promote the health of the mother and the fetus. However, participants reported low dietary diversity because of limited access to nutritious foods and particular perspectives on food restrictions during pregnancy. The common practice of religious fasting also limited pregnant women's dietary intake. Women reported restricting their food intake in later pregnancy because of loss of appetite, as well as concerns about having a large infant, which might complicate delivery. Intake of locally made alcoholic drinks (Tella) was reported among pregnant women because participants thought it had low levels of alcohol that would not harm the fetus.
Conclusions
Although participants understood the importance of a healthy and diverse diet in pregnancy, we identified several barriers and perspectives regarding nutrition during pregnancy. Low income and lack of access to diverse foods, particularly in certain seasons, religious fasting, intentional food restrictions to limit the size of the infant, and alcohol use were commonly reported. Locally appropriate counseling and interventions should be developed, with an emphasis on increasing access to and consumption of diverse foods. Curr Dev Nutr 2023;x:xx.
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