Energy Intake and Food Restriction as Determinant Factors of Chronic Energy Deficiency among Pregnant Women in Rural Area of Sungai Sembilan, Riau, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Maternal malnutrition is a major public health problem in Indonesia which is shown by high prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) among pregnant women. CED was expressed by the measurement of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) showing value less than 23.5 cm. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with chronic energy deficiency among pregnant women in rural area, Riau Province. METHODOLOGY: A community- based cross sectional study was conducted among 130 samples of pregnant women in Sungai Sembilan Community Health Center in June 2020. Data was collected using structured and field-study questionnaires. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was measured by MUAC tape. Energy and protein intake were assessed using 24-hour food recall. Multiple logistic regression was employed to analyse factors associated with CED by using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The prevalence of CED among pregnant women was 64.9%. Age of mothers, food restriction, infection disease status, protein and energy intake were associated significantly with CED. Furthermore, energy intake and food restriction in pregnancy were risk factors of CED (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.1 – 8.3 and AOR = 6.73, 95% CI: 1.33 – 33.9, respectively). We found that proportion of energy intake below 80% RDA and mothers with food restriction were higher among CED group. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) was found among pregnant women. Hence, innovative intervention was required to overcome this problem.