FOOD AVERSION PRACTICES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN GURSUM DISTRICT, SOMALI REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Cultural mal practices including food aversion accounts 5-15% mortality associated with pregnancy in developing countries. Food aversion is a common problem in low income countries like Ethiopia particularly in rural settings. However, little is known about food taboo and associated factors in Ethiopia including the study area. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess food aversion practices and associated factors among pregnant women in Gursum district, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia Method and Materials: A community based cross sectional study design supplemented with qualitative inquiry was used among 636 pregnant women from Feb 8 – March 23, 2017. xiii Quantitative data were collected using structured pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire while qualitative data were generated through focus group discusions among purposively selected discussants. Cluster sampling was used. Quantitative data were entered onto Epi Data version 3.01 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Odds ratio along with 95% CI was estimated using multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with outcome of interest. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, analyzed using ATLAS.ti software, described based on themes with some quotes. Results: A total of 610 pregnant women were participated giving response rate of 95.9%. Magnitude of food taboo practice was found to be 67.4% (95%CI: 63.7%, 71.1%). Majority avoided protein sources of foods majorly due to cultural beliefs of difficult delivery and religious restrictions. Being age between 15-24 [AOR= 1.27, (95%CI: 1.076, 3.714)] and 25-34 [AOR= 1.15, (95%CI: 1.057, 1.966)], having no formal education [AOR=1.97, (95%CI: 1.583, 4.496)], having low [AOR= 2.26, (95%CI: 1.173, 4.353)], and medium wealth index [AOR= 2.54, (95%CI: 1.313, 4.929)], being rural residential [AOR= 3.17, (95%CI: 1.117, 8.983)], not having ANC visit [AOR= 6.16, (95% CI: 4.996, 10.128)], having poor knowledge [AOR= 4.94, (95%CI: 3.799, 8.748)] and unfavorable attitude towards maternal nutrition [AOR= 4.51, (95%CI: 1.588, 12.806)] had positive association with food aversion practice in this study. Conclusion: Magnitude of food aversion practice during pregnancy was found to be significantly high. Therefore; Customized nutrition education is needed to address the problem