Abstract
Background
The Prenatal, perinatal, postnatal and nutritional support study (A3PN), was a four-year initiative aimed to reduce maternal mortality in Haiti. A cross-sectional study was developed to collect baseline data for evaluation purposes of the A3PN. The current study aims to determine the factors contributing to dietary diversity (DD) in Haitian children aged 6 to 23 months.
Methods
A cross-sectional study during two seasons (the lean season and the harvest season) was carried out in Haiti to assess the DD of children and their mothers using non-quantitative 24-hour recalls. Indicators of DD were Minimum Dietary Diversity for Children (MDD-C) and Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was measured in women and children and food security was assessed using the Household Hunger Scale (HHS). Focus groups were also conducted to gain a better understanding of quantitative findings.
Results
Only 7.3% of t he children included in this study met the MDD-C. Factors associated with MDD-C were the season (OR: 0.141 [0.039-0.513]), land ownership or rental (OR: 4.603 [1.233-17.188]), maternal education (OR: 0.092 [0.011-0.749]), the mother's responsibility for the main or secondary source of income for the household (OR: 2.883 [1.030-8.069]), and her DD (OR: 5.690 [1.916-16.892]). Focus groups revealed the existence of various food restrictions.
Conclusion
The results indicated that the low prevalence of MDD-C in three regions of study in Haiti is indicative of a serious public health concern that might be further aggravated by local food taboos. They also suggest that to fight against hunger it is necessary to focus on women's well-being.
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