Assessment of dietary diversity of mothers (0-2 years childbearing) in Noakhali District of Bangladesh

Suitable nutrition is indispensable for mothers in the first 2 years of childbearing age for better maternal and child health outcomes. Dietary diversity score notifies the intake of general nutritional sufficiency. In developing countries, low dietary diversity is a major problem among the poor population because they consume a monotonous staple diet. This study aimed to assess the dietary diversity of lactating mothers and what factors are associated with the mother’s dietary diversity. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in SubarnacharUpazila, Noakhali district of Bangladesh. A sample size of 400 was calculated using the formula n=Z2 ×P (100-P)/X2.“Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women” developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization was used to measure the dietary diversity of mothers. Household Dietary Diversity Score and Food Consumption Score were used to assess household food diversity and household food security, respectively.The average dietary diversity score of mothers (MDDW) was (4.20±1.31). 100% of mothers consumed cereals and tubers, and 16.5% of mothers consumed milk and milk products on the reference day. Dietary diversity score ranged from 1 to 8 out of 10 and 64.3% of mothers had a low dietary diversity score (<5). Low dietary diversity was associated with religion, mother’s education, monthly income of the family, house ownership and family type on a bivariate analysis. The mean household dietary diversity and food consumption scores were (7.22±1.51) and (51.46±15.19), respectively. The minimum household diversity score has statistical significant relation p-value < 0.05 with factors like religion, Mothers education, household ownership, family type, monthly income. Overall, our findings revealed that, lactating mothers experienced poor dietary diversity and their education and existing socioeconomic conditions could be considered as associated factors for causing such condition.Religion (Hindu,Muslim) COR 2.26, Mother’s education (Primary, Higher Secondary, Graduates) COR 3.79 upto 8.36, household ownership (Govt.Quater, rented house, own house) COR (180,18.05), Family type (Nuclear, Joint) COR 2.29, Monthly income COR (3 categories) 1.71 and 4.54. Lactating mothers experience poor dietary diversity. Mother’s education and socioeconomic conditions are associated factors with low dietary diversity of mothers.