Influence of socio-demographic factors on dietary diversity among pregnant business women in Tunduma town council, Tanzania
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety
Abstract
Background: Dietary diversity was a key factor in nutritional sufficiency particularly for business
women who struggle to access diverse nutrients rich foods due to socio economic and
occupational pressures that limited their access to nutrient-rich foods.
Methods: The panel longitudinal study examined the influence of socio demographic factors on
dietary diversity of 223 pregnant business women attending antenatal clinics from their second
trimesters to term. Data collected from November 2024 up to May 2025 at baseline (Socio
demographic factors and dietary diversity) and dietary diversity was included during endline. The
Minimum Dietary Diversity for women (MDD-W) was based on 10 food groups as recommended by
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and seven days food frequency questionnaire was used
to assess dietary intake of pregnant women.
Results: The mean age of the women was 29.58± 6.96 (SD), among them 110 (49.3%) were aged
between 20 and 35 years. The findings revealed that at baseline 55.6% of the pregnant business
women had inadequate dietary diversity and slightly improved during endline with 65.5% exhibiting
adequate dietary diversity. The consumption of cereal base foods was high at both baseline
(100%) and endline (100%) while intake of other food groups show that vitamin A-rich fruits and
vegetables rising from 49.7% to 66.4%, eggs from 39% to 63.2%, meat, poultry and fish from
43.5% to 62.2%. The increase of consumption occurred due to changes of meal when mothers
delivery. Based on binary regression model the findings showed that at baseline and endline
demographic factors particularly age (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 2.04-2.44), education level (AOR=1.41,
95% CI 1.21-1.61, and income (AOR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.62-2.02), type of business (AOR=1.45 95%
CI: 1.25-1.65), marital status (AOR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.52) and household size(AOR= 1.45, 95%
CI: 1.23-1.63) significantly influenced minimum dietary diversity among respondents.
Conclusion: Dietary pattern during pregnancy suggested potential risks for micronutrient
deficiencies due to suboptimal consumption of diversified food groups. Government, health care
providers, NGOs and other stakeholders should implement nutritional counseling before
pregnancy, improve access to diverse local food markets and enhance fortification programs
Description
Original Research Article
Keywords
Dietary diversity, Business women, Socio-demographic factors and food groups
Citation
https://doi.org/10.9734/ejnfs/2025/v17i81821