Modeling Dietary Diversity Practice and Related Factors of Women Reproductive Age at Asaita Woredas, Ethiopia: Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background Competent and health diet throughout women reproductive age is crucial for the health of both mother and new born. Dietary diversity is a procurator indicator of women reproductive age nutrient sufficiency. Objectives This study was planned to evaluate the dietary diversity exercise and associated factors among women reproductive age at Asaita districts, Afar region, Ethiopia. Methods Community based cross-sectional study was done on randomly chosen 422 women under reproductive age at Asaita woredas from February to March, 2020. Data was gathered by using interviewer and 24 hours dietary call up methods. Data entered and analyzed using SPSS version-25. Ordinary logistic regression model was employed to assess factors associated with dietary diversity and potential factors were screened at P-value less than 5%. Results The average dietary diversity score was 4.17±1.112SD. Approximately 13.0%, 78.5% and 8.5% of women reproductive age had low, medium and high dietary diversity practice respectively. Family size of male, family size of female, marital status, education level, house with window, having cell phone, bank, refrigerator, television and cart were significant factors associated with women dietary diversity practice at 5% level of significance. The odds of being “low dietary” instead of “high dietary” multiplies by OR=0.665 for each 1-unit increase in family size of female household. Odds of house with window is in low dietary rather than high dietary scores are OR=2.793 times estimated odds for house with no window’s. Conclusion Marital status, house with window, having cell phone, owner of bank account and refrigerator had a positive association with dietary diversity whereas family size, education level, having television and cart had a negative relation with women under reproductive age of dietary diversity.