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Research Article: Exploring dietary perception, beliefs and practices among pregnant adolescents, their husbands and healthcare providers in West Arsi, Central Ethiopia: a phenomenological study

Date Published: 2023-12-09

Abstract:
Background The two most physically active stages of life, pregnancy and adolescence, put the pregnant adolescent under a lot of stress. Adolescence is a crucial era in women’s nutrition that is frequently overlooked. Objective This study aimed to explore dietary perceptions, beliefs and practices among pregnant Adolescents in West Arsi, Central Ethiopia. Design A qualitative method, specifically, a phenomenological research design, was carried out from February to March 2023. Settings This study was conducted in the West Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, in four randomly selected districts. Participants Thirty participants, 12 pregnant adolescents, 8 husbands of pregnant adolescents and 10 healthcare providers were purposefully selected and participated. Methods In-depth and key informant interviews were conducted. To create relevant codes, subthemes and themes, ATLAS.ti V.7.1 software was used. An inductive qualitative data analysis approach was used. The results were presented using respondents’ clear verbatim and thematic analysis. Results The findings were organised into four major themes: (1) low nutritional awareness, (2) poor dietary practice, (3) barriers to good dietary practice and (4) facilitators for good dietary practice. A low perceived severity (one’s belief of the seriousness) of undernutrition and low perceived benefits (one’s belief of the benefits) of balanced nutrition have been reported. A monotonous diet (one type food usually cereal based), no change in dietary practices during pregnancy, and low intake of animal food sources (meat, egg and milk) were found under dietary practices. One of the most striking findings to emerge from this study is the Alliance for Development (AFD), the former Women Development Army, which can be a great facilitator of good dietary practice. Husbands’ involvement in nutrition education and specific nutrition training for healthcare providers are the other facilitators identified in this study. The lack of nutrition education, misconceptions and economic problems are barriers to dietary practices. Conclusion This study found a low nutritional awareness and poor dietary practices. Further experimental studies are recommended to assess whether AFD is capable of delivering effective nutrition interventions that improve dietary practice of pregnant.

Introduction:
Adolescent pregnancy is defined as the occurrence of pregnancy among girls aged 10–19. 1 Pregnancy undernutrition is defined by a maternal nutritional status in which nutrient reserves and macronutrient/micronutrient consumption are below what is required to ensure the best outcomes for the mother, the fetus and the infant. 2 Adolescent pregnancy is a high-risk condition which potentially results in adverse pregnancy outcomes. 1 Undernutrition during and before pregnancy has been associated with a number of…

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