Factors associated with dietary diversity among tribal women in Palamu division Jharkhand using a mixed method study

Abstract Tribal women experience a higher prevalence of undernutrition and anemia compared to the general female population, with inadequate diet being a key contributing factor. Therefore, this study is conducted in the Palamu division of Jharkhand with the aim of examining the dietary habits and associated factors within their specific local environments of Chero, Kharwar, and Oraon tribal women. The study adopted a cross-sectional mixed-methods design with a quantitative data ( N = 544 tribal women) and a qualitative exploratory approach using focus group discussions ( N = 18) and key informant interviews ( N = 48). The data was collected using a questionnaire. The analysis of results found that about 57.4% of women had not achieved minimum dietary diversity score (MDD) and 42.6% of women had achieved MDD. Among those with low dietary diversity (< 5), both Kharwar and Oraon tribals showed 40.4% and 31.7% and Chero tribes 27.9%. The binary logistic regression analysis found the important factors, which were statistically associated with DDS: ethnicity (OR = 0.383, p = 0.014), age of the tribal women (OR = 2.329, p = 0.048), education level of the respondents (OR = 1.940, p < 0.001) and working women (OR = 1.803, p = 0.012). These findings highlight the need for specific policy initiatives such as opportunities for improving livelihoods, vocational trainings, promotion of diverse and nutritious diets, nutritional health benefits awareness strengthening the outreach of health workers.