TITLE:
Study of the Determinants of Dietary Diversity among Pregnant Women in the Dakar Region (Senegal) in 2017
AUTHORS:
Theresa Stella Esperance Fouckou Moko, Jean Augustin Diegane Tine, Maty Diagne Camara, Adama Faye
KEYWORDS:
Determinants, Dietary Diversity, Pregnant Women, Dakar
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.12 No.6,
June
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Many health problems in pregnant women result in part from inadequate
nutrition. Much progress has been made in improving the nutritional situation
in Dakar, but it remains a concern to this day. Promoting dietary diversity is
an effective way to combat any kind of nutrient deficiency. This study aims to
investigate the determinants of dietary diversity in pregnant women in the Dakar
region. Method: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study
with a three-stage survey. The calculated sample was 292 pregnant women.
Socio-demographic, economic, pregnancy-related data, related to practices and
knowledge on nutrition were collected using a questionnaire and an observation
grid. The collection was conducted from November 01 to December 15, 2017 among pregnant women in the Dakar region.
Data were entered using epi info software and analyses were done with R. Simple
linear regression was used to find the explanatory factors of dietary
diversification. The fit of the regression model was done by the Hosmer
Lemeshow test. The odds ratios were measured with a 5% alpha risk. Results: A
total of 300 pregnant women were surveyed in two different health districts.
The mean dietary diversification score was 5.47, the median was 5 and the
standard deviation was 1.24. Factors associated with dietary diversity were age -1.14 [-1.8; -0.48], place of follow-up 0.39 [0.12; 0.67], number
of children 0.56 [0.25; 1.1], mineral water consumption 0.27 [0.001; 0.5] and
husband’s income 0.79 [0.24; 1.35]. Discussion-Conclusion: The Dietary
Diversity Score was average, although it is important to note a real lack of
dietary variety among women, which needs to be corrected through quality
communication at prenatal consultations, but also the training of midwives in
the field of nutrition remains essential.