Drivers of Food Choice among Lactating Women: The Case of Debrebirhan Town, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

While access to foods and more information on healthy eating are important, decisions to adopt health-enhancing behavior of lactating women (nutritional vulnerable group) are often constrained by socio-economic barriers, personal and food related drivers that influence food choice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess drivers of food choice, & socio-economic variables associated with drivers of food choice among lactating women in Debrebirhan Town. A survey study was conducted on 423 randomly selected lactating women. Data was collected by face to face interview and analyzed via SPSS version 20. Logistic regression analysis was used to find association b/n socio-economic variables and drivers of food choice. P-value 3500 ETB) with AOR (95%CI) of 3.24(1.3-8.08), 3.95(1.85-8.4) and 1.83(1.03-3.24). Age (15-25 & 26-35 years) was associated to choosing of foods for weight management with AOR (95%CI) of 2.64(1.12-6.22) and 3.52(1.66-7.43). 15-25 years’ age and self-employee were linked to religion influence in food choice with AOR (95%CI) of 0.09(0.01-0.48) and 4.13(1.4-12.24). Age (15-25 & 26-35 years), education (no, primary & secondary) and being housewife were associated to choosing of foods for their health value with AOR (95%CI) of 0.26(0.12-0.6), 0.37(0.18-0.76), 0.14(0.04-0.42), 0.25(0.13-0.54), 0.33(0.17-0.66) and 2.5(1.23-5). Avoidance of foods for nutrient content was related to age (15-25 &26-35 years) with AOR (95%CI) of 6.75(2.77-16.5) and 5.77(2.7-12.32). Primary education and being housewife were associated to ingredient contents of foods during selection with AOR (95%CI) of 0.29(0.14-0.6) and 2.24(1.15-4.35). Only family size (2-4 vs.>4 persons) was associated with price concern in food choice with AOR (95%CI) of 0.39(0.21-0.71). Primary & secondary education were associated to choosing of foods based on ethical value with AOR (95%CI) of 0.38(0.19-0.75) and 0.44(0.24-0.83). Being divorced, husband headed, 7-12 &13-18 months’ lactation period, 15-25 and 26-35 years’ age were related to preparation convenience of foods with AOR (95%CI) of 5.94(1.13-31.33), 0.42(0.18-0.96), 3.26(1.34-7.93), 4.4(1.81-10.72), 0.16(0.05-0.47) and 0.25(0.11-0.59). From multivariate analysis of multinomial logistic regression using taste as a reference; 13-18 months’ lactation period, husband, mother and father of lactating women headed were associated to choosing of foods for their smell with AOR (95%CI) of 2.92(1.45-5.87), 0.43(0.19-0.96), 0.07(0.01-0.64) and 0.12(0.02-0.76). Also, husband headed and 7-12 months’ lactation period were associated to choosing of foods for their appearance with AOR (95%CI) of 0.32(0.11-0.91) and 3.5(1.46-8.38). Religion, price & preparation convenience were the key, and mood, nutrient content & ethical concern were the least drivers of food choice among women. Most women were motivated by six basic drivers of food choice. Various socio-economic variables were associated to drivers of food choice. Self-management approaches by nutrition education & promotion to change eating behaviors of women, increasing supply & price regulation towards healthy foods are recommended.