TITLE:
Factors Associated with Diet Quality in Women of Childbearing Age in Southern Benin in 2022
AUTHORS:
Charles Sossa-Jerome, Reynald Santos, Lamidhi Salami, Clemence Metonnou, Colette Azandjeme, Moussiliou N Paraiso
KEYWORDS:
Diet Quality, Women, Associated Factors, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.13 No.4,
November
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The nutritional status of women while in pregnancy influences foetus growth, infant development, and the mother’s health. The objective of this study was to assess diet quality and associated factors among women of childbearing age in the Comè community, Benin. Methods: The cross-sectional and analytical study involved 215 participants randomly selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Two non-consecutive dietary recall data were collected as well as sociodemographic information. The International Food Quality Index (IQD-I) was used to assess diet quality. Factors associated with the nutritional quality of the diet were identified by using linear regression. Results: Among 212 women, a diet quality of 175 (82.55%) was fair while 14.62% had good diet quality. Factors associated with the diet quality were the level of household possession, health issues, and nutritional advice at the health care facilities. Conclusion: Nutritional education interventions and income-generating activities may improve the diet quality among women of childbearing age in the Comè in Benin.