The Relation of Locally Available Food Items With Anemia Status Among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia

Prevention of anemia among women, particularly pregnant women, is a priority nutrition agenda in Ethiopia. Anemia is a significant contributor to poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and maternal mortality. Anemia is of multiple influences, which in most of the cases include dietary factors. Consumption food items rich in iron and other nutrients involved in red blood cell production promotes optimal hemoglobin level. Dark green leafy vegetables, meat, and beans are some of the food groups reported to be associated with lesser risk of anemia. Studies on the relation of indigenous food items with health outcome are limited in developing countries. For example, teff, consumed only in Ethiopia and parts of Eritrea, is traditionally believed to be protective of anemia because of its high iron content, but Khat chewing, a pervasive social practice in Ethiopia, has been associated with restrictive eating pattern and anemia. In this study, the association of locally consumed food groups with anemia was investigated among pregnant Ethiopian women.