Dietary Diversity Scores Of Women Of Reproductive Age In Ikwuano Local Government Area Of Abia State.:- Onyekanma, Ujunwa P

ABSTRACT x Dietary diversity is a widely recognized proxy indicator of nutrient adequacy and a key determinant of health among women ofreproductive age. This study assessed the dietary diversity scores (DDS) ofwomen in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 339 women selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semistructured interviews, focusing on socio-demographic, cultural,'and economic factors influencing food consumption. A descriptive analysis and chi-square was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 20.0. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator, which requires consumption of at least five out of ten food groups within 24 hours, was used to evaluate diet quality. Findings revealed that dietary diversity was suboptimal among many participants, with staple-based diets dominating daily intake. Socioeconomic status, income, education, household size, and cultural beliefs significantly influenced dietary patterns, while limited access to diverse foods, poverty, and inadequate nutrition knowledge further constrained nutrient adequacy. Although Ikwuano is agriculturally productive, reliance on carbohydrate-rich staples such as cassava, yam, maize, and rice limited consumption offruits, vegetables, and animal-source proteins. The results showed a dominant representation among women aged 26-30 years (23.0%). The result also showed that 50.4% of women reported avoided certain food due to cultural beliefs. The study also showed that staple foods such as grains, roots, tubers or plantain were universally consumed by (89.1%) reflecting their central role in traditional Nigerian diets. The study was also evident that majority of the women (68.3%) fell within the category of average dietary diversity. The study concludes that poor dietary diversity contributes to micronutrient deficiencies and increases vulnerability to malnutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases. It recommends targeted interventions including nutrition education, economic empowerment, food fortification, and agricultural diversification to enhance access to nutrient-rich foods and improve women’s dietary quality and overall health in rural communities.