Abstract
BackgroundPoor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries. Evidences have shown that promotion of appropriate complementary feeding practices reduces the incidence of stunting and leads to better health and growth outcome. This study was aimed at assessing practices of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6–23 months.MethodsA community-based cross sectional study design was conducted among 611 mothers who had children with 6–23 months of age in the ten randomly selected Kebeles (smallest administrative unit). A multistage sampling technique was used to identify study subjects. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered in to Epi info version 3.5.1. Data cleaning and analysis were done using SPSS version 16. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were computed to measure the strength of association.ResultsThe response rate was 97.6 % (611/626). The practices of timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity were 72.5, 67.3 and 18.8 % among mothers of 6–23 months aged children, respectively. The practice of appropriate complementary feeding was 9.5 %. Child’s age (12–17 and 18–23 months) [Adjusted OR: 2.75 (95 % CI: 1.07 7.03), 2.64 (95 % CI: 1.06 6.74)], educational level of mother (primary and secondary and above schools) [AOR: 3.24 (1.28 8.20), 3.21 (1.1.07 9.70)], and smaller family size [AOR: 12.10 (95 % CI: 1.10 139.7)] were found to be independent predictors of appropriate complementary feeding practice of 6–23 months old children.ConclusionLow appropriate complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months was observed. Mothers who are illiterate, children age 6–11 months and families with large size were associated factors for inappropriate feeding practices. Therefore, nutritional counseling on child feeding practices were recommended.
Highlights
Poor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries
A recent analysis of Demographic and Health surveys (DHS) data from twenty-one countries revealed that poor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends observed in developing countries [2]
In sub-Saharan African Regions, for example, suboptimal infant feeding practices, poor quality of complementary foods, micronutrient deficiencies and frequent infections have mainly contributed to the high mortality among infants and young children [3]
Summary
Poor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries. A recent analysis of Demographic and Health surveys (DHS) data from twenty-one countries revealed that poor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the characteristics negative growth trends observed in developing countries [2]. Understanding the effect of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices on improving the nutritional status of children under two years of age, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a set of core indicators to assess IYCF practices [6]. These indicators incorporated both breast-feeding and complementary feeding linked practices. Appropriate feeding practices, include timely initiation of feeding of solid and semi-solid foods from age 6 months and to improve the quantity and quality of foods children consume, while maintaining breastfeeding [6, 7]
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