Study of the Determinants of Dietary Diversity among Pregnant Women in the Dakar Region (Senegal) in 2017

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.