Obstetrical care is associated with child's dietary diversity in Indonesia: Analysis from Demographic and Health Survey 2017

Objective: To explore the influence of obstetrical care factors on dietary diversity and individual food group consumption in Indonesia. Design: Cross-sectional study to assess the association between pregnancy care factors and dietary diversity score, minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and consumption of seven food groups. Setting: Data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey 2017. Participants: A total of 5113 children aged 6-23 months. Results: Dietary diversity score was significantly higher for children whose mothers received four or more prenatal care visits, were delivered at a health facility, had a professionally trained delivery assistant and were delivered by C-section. Children born at a health facility and delivered by a health professional had higher odds of meeting MDD (adjusted OR (AOR) 1·45, 95 % CI 1·18, 1·79 and OR 2·10, 95 % CI 1·54, 2·87, respectively). Four or more antenatal visits, delivering at a health facility and having a professional delivery attendant were associated with higher odds of consumption of lentils (AOR 1·66, 95 % CI 1·23, 2·25, AOR 1·30, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·65 and AOR 1·79, 95 % CI 1·19, 2·69). Four or more antenatal visits, delivering at a health facility and having a professional delivery attendant had higher odds of consumption of other fruits and vegetables (AOR 1·70, 95 % CI 1·23, 2·35, OR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·03, 1·61 and OR 1·90, 95 % CI 1·29, 2·79). Conclusions: Efforts focusing on providing nutritional education during antenatal care and delivery should be encouraged, especially for mothers seeking care outside of a health facility.