Influence of Socio-demographic Factors on Dietary Diversity among Pregnant Business Women in Tunduma Town Council, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Dietary diversity was a key factor in nutritional sufficiency particularly for business women who struggle to access diverse nutrients rich foods due to socio economic and occupational pressures that limited their access to nutrient-rich foods. Methods: The panel longitudinal study examined the influence of socio demographic factors on dietary diversity of 223 pregnant business women attending antenatal clinics from their second trimesters to term. Data collected from November 2024 up to May 2025 at baseline (Socio demographic factors and dietary diversity) and dietary diversity was included during endline. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for women (MDD-W) was based on 10 food groups as recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and seven days food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake of pregnant women. Results: The mean age of the women was 29.58± 6.96 (SD), among them 110 (49.3%) were aged between 20 and 35 years. The findings revealed that at baseline 55.6% of the pregnant business women had inadequate dietary diversity and slightly improved during endline with 65.5% exhibiting adequate dietary diversity. The consumption of cereal base foods was high at both baseline (100%) and endline (100%) while intake of other food groups show that vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables rising from 49.7% to 66.4%, eggs from 39% to 63.2%, meat, poultry and fish from 43.5% to 62.2%. The increase of consumption occurred due to changes of meal when mothers delivery. Based on binary regression model the findings showed that at baseline and endline demographic factors particularly age (AOR=2.24, 95% CI: 2.04-2.44), education level (AOR=1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.61, and income (AOR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.62-2.02), type of business (AOR=1.45 95% CI: 1.25-1.65), marital status (AOR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.52) and household size(AOR= 1.45, 95% CI: 1.23-1.63)  significantly influenced minimum dietary diversity among respondents. Conclusion: Dietary pattern during pregnancy suggested potential risks for micronutrient deficiencies due to suboptimal consumption of diversified food groups. Government, health care providers, NGOs and other stakeholders should implement nutritional counseling before pregnancy, improve access to diverse local food markets and enhance fortification programs.