Factors associated with preconception nutritional readiness in prospective brides in Bantul Regency

In the preconception period, support is required at a higher concentration than in the earlier period. Intergenerational malnutrition can be caused by the nutritional status of the mother during the preconception period. Therefore, there is a need for nutritional readiness in the preconception period to improve the health status of mothers and children in Indonesia. This study aims to obtain the factors that influence preconception nutritional readiness in prospective brides in Bantul regency. This study was a cross-sectional study involving 111 premarital women in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data collected were socio-demographic data and preconception nutritional readiness that measured by 10 indicators including: (1) body mass index/BMI, (2) mid-upper arm circumference/MUAC, (3) hemoglobin level; (4) energy intake, (5) protein intake, (6) calcium intake, (7) iron intake, (8) folate intake, (9) preconception nutrition knowledge, and (10) iron and/or folate supplement consumption. Data were analyzed using chi-square test with statistical significance at p-value 25 years, higher education, work, and had received preconception nutrition education, have a better mean nutritional readiness score.