# Dietary Vitamin A Intake and Associated Factors Among Lactating Women in Wondo Genet District, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that nearly half of lactating women in southern Ethiopia have inadequate vitamin A intake, with factors like large family size and food insecurity playing a role.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on vitamin A intake and its predictors among lactating women in a specific Ethiopian region.

## Key findings

- 47.1% of lactating women had inadequate vitamin A intake.
- Large family size and food insecurity were significant predictors of vitamin A inadequacy.
- Nutritional counseling and dietary diversity were protective factors against vitamin A deficiency.

## Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in Ethiopia, despite programs aimed at providing lactating women with diverse diets and micronutrient supplements. However, evidence on the dietary vitamin A intake adequacy among these is limited. This study was aimed at assessing dietary vitamin A intake and associated factors among lactating women in the Wondo Genet district of Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia.

A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 411 lactating women from January 1 to 28, 2024, using simple random sampling. Data were collected via an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Vitamin A inadequacy was defined as dietary intake below the estimated average requirement (EAR). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary vitamin A inadequacy, and results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

The magnitude of inadequate dietary Vitamin A intake was 47.1% (95% CI: 42.2%, 52.0%). In the adjusted model, large family size (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.58), food insecurity (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.44), low dietary diversity (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.62), not receiving nutritional counseling (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.66, 4.28), and consuming fewer than three meals per day (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.37) were significantly associated with inadequate vitamin A intake.

The study found a high prevalence of inadequate dietary vitamin A intake among lactating women in the area. Predictors of inadequate intake included large family size, food insecurity, lack of nutritional counseling, low dietary diversity, and the number of meals consumed per day. We recommend targeted nutritional counseling and education for lactating women, emphasizing vitamin A awareness, meal planning, and strategies to combat food insecurity, particularly in larger families.