Yirgu, Robel (MPH)Shiferaw, Seble2018-11-282023-11-052018-11-282023-11-052018-10http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/14629Background: The maternal nutrition during pregnancy is responsible for structural and physiological changes that occur in the fetus as a result of inadequate nutrients or ‘building blocks’ for the growth of specific tissues. The nutrient a mother gets depends on her food choices, signifying the importance food choice during pregnancy. Objective: To explore factors which influence food choice among pregnant women in Butajira Rural Health Programme (BRHP), Ethiopia. Method: Qualitative content analysis using deductive approach was applied to identify factors affecting food choice of pregnant women in rural settings. The study conducted in Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) of Addis Ababa University School of Public Health located in Butajira, Gurage zone. A total of 43 pregnant women and 37 husbands of pregnant women participated in the study. A combination of in-depth interview and focus group discussion was applied to collect data from purposively selected participants. The data analyzed deductively, using open code version 4.02 software to code the data. Result: Pregnant women usually ate three times a day that mainly consisted of cereal based food (Kita) and a vegetable, dark green leafy vegetable (Gomen). The study identified several factors which influence pregnant women to choose their food. Agricultural production seems to be a key determinant of consumption and is dependent on the amount of agricultural land they have and agro-ecologic conditions among the study sites. It is also identified that the major determinant of food choice is financial constraint, which determine the ability to produce or purchase the required food. Pregnant women adjust their food choice based on their appetite and gastric symptoms following consumption. The distant market is another factor identified as an obstacle to access healthy food due to high cost of transportation and unstable roads for a pregnant woman. Conclusion: This study identified that the food choice of pregnant women is mainly determined by food availability which is governed by production and financial capacity. Pregnant women also decrease their food intake due to physiological symptoms following consumption.en-USFood choice, pregnant women, content analysisThesis