# Undernutrition and Its Predictors Among Pregnant Women in Semipastoral Communities of Southwest Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that over 30% of pregnant women in Southwest Ethiopia are undernourished, with diet, meal frequency, high parity, and parasitic infections as key risk factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific predictors of undernutrition in pregnant women from semipastoral communities in Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- 31.5% of pregnant women had mid-upper arm circumference below 23 cm, indicating undernutrition.
- Low dietary diversity, fewer than three daily meals, high parity, and parasitic infections were significant predictors of undernutrition.
- Interventions like dietary counseling and parasitic infection screening are recommended to address undernutrition.

## Abstract

Maternal undernutrition poses significant risks to maternal, fetal, and child health, leading to long-term and irreversible consequences such as growth failure. This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bachuma Primary Hospital in Southwest Ethiopia. Using an institution-based cross-sectional design, 346 randomly selected pregnant women were assessed for nutritional status based on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), with values below 23 cm indicating undernutrition. Data analysis revealed that 31.5% of pregnant women were undernourished (95% CI: 26.6%–36.7%). Predictors of undernutrition included low dietary diversity scores (< 5) (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.06–3.33)), consuming fewer than three meals daily (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI (1.29–6.36)), high parity (gravida six or more) (AOR = 4.98; 95% CI (1.06–23.4)), and intestinal parasitic infections (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI (1.58–5.18)). The study highlights the urgent need for interventions such as enhanced dietary counseling, improved maternal nutrition practices, and the screening and treatment of parasitic infections to mitigate undernutrition in this population.