Factors Associated with Nutritional Status of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Gatsinda Zone, Ngozi Commune, Burundi
Nadine Nduwamariya
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Lambert Niyoyitungiye *
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Agribusiness Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Rural Development Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Centre for Research in Natural and Environmental Sciences (CRNSE), University of Burundi, Faculty of Sciences, Bujumbura, P.O. Box 2700, Burundi and Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burundi, P.O. Box. 2700, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Simon Buhungu
Centre for Research in Natural and Environmental Sciences (CRNSE), University of Burundi, Faculty of Sciences, Bujumbura, P.O. Box 2700, Burundi and Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burundi, P.O. Box. 2700, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Laetitia Irakoze
Doctoral School of the University of Burundi, Avenue de l’ UNESCO No2, P.O. Box 1550, Bujumbura, Burundi, Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Kamenge University Hospital Center, University of Burundi, P.O. Box 2210, Bujumbura, Burundi and East African Nutritional Sciences Institute, University of Burundi, P.O. Box 2700, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Eponine Délice Niyonizeye
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi, Doctoral School of the University of Burundi, Avenue de l’ UNESCO No2, P.O. Box 1550, Bujumbura, Burundi and Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Kamenge University Hospital Center, University of Burundi, P.O. Box 2210, Bujumbura, Burundi.
Théophile Niyibizi
Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Agribusiness Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Bella Tatiana Ingabire
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Méchac Ishimwe
Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Rural Development Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Erasme Bengenge
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Jean Claude Ndayikengurukiye
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
Renovat Rukerandanga
Food Security and Human Nutrition Programme, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi and Centre for Research in Agriculture and Rural Development (CERADER), University of Ngozi, P.O Box 137, Ngozi, Burundi.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Women who are simultaneously pregnant and breastfeeding have increased nutritional requirements, and their nutritional status may be associated with household, dietary, obstetric and health-related characteristics.
Objective: To examine factors associated with the nutritional status of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gatsinda Zone, Ngozi Commune, Burundi.
Methods: A prospective descriptive study with an analytical component involved 155 women attending Buziragahama, Gatsinda and Gitwa health centres between October 2025 and March 2026. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through KoboCollect. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured to assess nutritional status, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 20, including bivariate analyses and logistic regression.
Results: Twenty-five women (16.1%) had a MUAC below 230 mm, while 130 (83.9%) had a normal nutritional status according to the study's threshold. In the reported multivariable analysis, marital status, household size, parity, breastfeeding problems, food-related problems, food taboos, vomiting or nausea, and anaemia during pregnancy were statistically significantly associated with nutritional status. Health centre attended, primary occupation, educational attainment, number of meals per day, food aversions, food allergies, back pain and dental pain were not significant in the adjusted model. The reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.865.
Conclusion: Nutritional status was associated with a combination of sociodemographic, obstetric, dietary and symptomatic factors. The findings support integrated maternal nutrition assessment and counselling, alongside attention to food access, breastfeeding difficulties and pregnancy-related symptoms. Interpretation of the adjusted odds ratios requires confirmation of the outcome coding.
Keywords: Nutritional status, pregnant and breastfeeding women, Butanyerera, Burundi