Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Jaja, A Rural Community in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Main Article Content
Keywords
dietary diversity, malnutrition, Nigeria, rural, women
Abstract
Background: Dietary diversity is an essential concept in the prevention of malnutrition. Nutrient adequacy in diet is especially crucial in women of child bearing age as it helps to prevent diseases and reduce poor pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed dietary diversity and its associations among women in Jaja, a rural community in Kaduna state, Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of women 15-49 years selected from each house in the community using a multistage sampling technique. Following an informed consent, data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and dietary pattern of the women were gathered and analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 software, associations between variables were tested and statistical significance set at p value <0.05.
Results: A total of 371 women were enrolled, predominantly married, Hausa Muslims. Their diet was made up of starchy staple 366(98.7%), Organ Meat 32(8.6%), Fish/Seafood 36(9.7%), Vitamin A rich foods 282(76.0%) and Iron rich foods 69(18.6%). The WDDS was low ;186(50.1%) and had a statistically significant relationship with factors such as the woman’s formal education (p-value 0.04), parity (p-value 0.009), geophagia and having had nutrition sensitization (p-value 0.018) and farmland ownership (p-value 0.022).
Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors are significant determinants of the dietary diversity these respondents. Targeted interventions to improve and sustain dietary practices are recommended.
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