Inadequately diversified food consumption during pregnancy can lead to micronutrient deficiencies, which can affect maternal and newborn health outcomes. Previous studies on maternal dietary diversity have either been limited to a specific geographical region or consist entirely of systematic reviews, without meta-analyses. Thus, this study aimed to determine the pooled estimate of the association between inadequate dietary diversity during pregnancy, maternal anemia, and low birth weight in Africa.

Anemia in pregnancy has been associated with a number of adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight or preterm birth. However, the evidence from primary studies on anemia in pregnancy with low birth weight and preterm birth is contentious. Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize these findings have not been conducted for Ethiopia. This study aimed to synthesize the best available evidence and quantify the strength and direction of the association of anemia in Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to estimate the associations between gestational weight gain during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, with a conclusion that inadequate and excessive gestational weigh gain are associated with a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes across settings. Interventions to promote optimal GWG during pregnancy are likely to reduce the burden of adverse neonatal outcomes, however further research is needed to assess optimal ranges of GWG based on data from low- and middle-income countries.

A package of care for all pregnant women within eight scheduled antenatal care contacts is recommended by WHO. Some interventions for reducing and managing the outcomes for small vulnerable newborns (SVNs) exist within the WHO package and need to be more fully implemented, but additional effective measures are needed. We summarise evidence-based antenatal and intrapartum interventions (up to and including clamping the umbilical cord) to prevent vulnerable births or improve outcomes, informed by systematic reviews. We estimate, using the Lives Saved Tool, that eight proven preventive interventions (multiple micronutrient supplementation, balanced protein and energy supplementation, low-dose aspirin, progesterone provided vaginally, education for smoking cessation, malaria prevention, treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, and treatment of syphilis), if fully implemented in 81 low-income and middle-income countries, could prevent 5·202 million SVN births (sensitivity bounds 2·398–7·903) and 0·566 million stillbirths (0·208–0·754) per year. These interventions, along with two that can reduce the complications of preterm (<37 weeks’ gestation) births (antenatal corticosteroids and delayed cord clamping), could avert 0·476 million neonatal deaths (0.181 – 0.676) per year. If further research substantiates the preventive effect of three additional interventions (supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and zinc) on SVN births, about 8·369 million SVN births (2·398–13·857) and 0·652 million neonatal deaths (0·181–0·917) could be avoided per year. Scaling up the eight proven interventions and two intrapartum interventions would cost about US$1·1 billion in 2030 and the potential interventions would cost an additional $3·0 billion. Implementation of antenatal care recommendations is urgent and should include all interventions that have proven effects on SVN babies, within the context of access to family planning services and addressing social determinants of health. Attaining high effective coverage with these interventions will be necessary to achieve global targets for the reduction of low birthweight births and neonatal mortality, and long-term benefits on growth and human capital.

Despite several strategies existing for anemia prevention and control, it has been the major public health important problem in the world. Numerous immediate and long-term health issues were reported in children who have history of anemia including decreased work productivity in adult hood period. Although analyzing data on burden and risk factors of anemia are the recommended action areas of World Health Organization framework for accelerating anemia reduction, the aggregated national burden and contributors of anemia in Ethiopia has not been determined so far. Therefore, this systematic and meta-analysis study is aimed to assess the pooled prevalence and associated factors of anemia among children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia.

Understanding the effects of balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplements on gestational weight gain and how the effects differ depending on maternal characteristics and the nutritional composition of the supplements will inform the implementation of prenatal BEP interventions. This study concluded that prenatal BEP supplements are effective in increasing gestational weight gain and reducing the risk of inadequate weight gain during pregnancy. BEP supplementation targeted toward pregnant women with undernutrition may be a promising approach to delivering the supplements.

Although significant progress has been made globally, neonatal mortality persists in lower-income countries. Small vulnerable newborns—premature or growth restricted—drive this burden, and underlying factors are multifaceted. Urgent action is needed to expedite effective interventions, prioritizing combination prevention strategies that are relevant and scalable in resource-limited settings.

Women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries are often at risk of micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate intakes and excessive losses. The purpose of this trial is to assess the effectiveness of United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation-Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (UNIMMAP-MMS) versus iron-folic acid (IFA) among WRA in reducing anemia. Three parallel groups of WRA will participate in a community-based, individually randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled superiority trial. After consent, the sample of 375 mildly or moderately anemic women based on hemoglobin by Hemocue will be randomly assigned across two interventions and one control arm. Trial participants in intervention arms will receive UNIMMAP-MMS or IFA while those in the control arm will receive placebos twice a week for 17 weeks. The primary outcome will be a change in mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. Outcome assessors and study participants will be blinded to the type of supplements and study arm. The World Health Organization (WHO) added UNIMMAP-MMS to its essential medicine lists in 2021 but recommended rigorous study. Several factors in addition to inadequate intakes of iron and folic acid contribute to the high prevalence of anemia among WRA in the Somali region. The findings of this study will provide evidence on the effect of UNIMMAP-MMS and IFA on Hb concentrations and anemia prevalence among anemic women of reproductive age.

Prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements are commonly advised as clinical practice standard of care. In spite of Ethiopian government focus on maternal nutrition programmes targeting pregnant and lactating women, Micronutrient deficiencies are still quite common and are regarded as a serious public health issue and also little is known regarding utilization and barriers to prenatal vitamin use during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess utilization and associated factors of prenatal vitamins among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public hospitals in the south Gondar zone.

In low and middle‐income countries, addressing maternal and child nutrition needs is crucial. Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) holds promise in reducing low birthweight and preterm births. Ethiopia is considering a transition from the provision of iron‐folate supplementation to the provision of MMS in antenatal care, guided by WHO guidelines. This paper explores stakeholders’ early perceptions and experiences in piloting that transition in five Ethiopian regions, informing decision making about future policy and scale‐up.