Abstract
BackgroundOptimal complementary feeding alone prevents six percent of child mortality, but it has continued to be considered as sub-optimal in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess timely initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers with children aged 6–23 months in Lalibela District.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 01 to April 29, 2015. Four hundred twenty-one mother-child pairs were selected by the systematic random sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) was computed to assess the strength of association, and variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered as statistically significant in the multivariable analysis.ResultsThe study demonstrated that, the prevalence of timely initiation of complementary feeding was 63 %. In addition, mother’s education [AOR = 4.33, 95 % CI: 1.99, 9.40], antenatal care follow up [AOR = 5.90, 95 % CI: 2.45, 14.21], and institutional delivery [AOR = 2.54, 95 % CI: 1.33, 4.82] were found key determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding.ConclusionIn this community, timely initiation of complementary feeding was lower than the World Health Organization cut-off point for good practice of complementary feeding. Therefore, intensifying utilization of antenatal care and institutional delivery helps to improve the coverage of timely initiation of complementary feeding. Furthermore, the focus needs to be on uneducated women.
Highlights
Optimal complementary feeding alone prevents six percent of child mortality, but it has continued to be considered as sub-optimal in Ethiopia
Optimal breastfeeding prevents 13 % of the deaths occurring in children under five, and appropriate complementary feeding results in an additional six percent reduction [9]
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics A total of 421 mother-child pairs were included in the study
Summary
Optimal complementary feeding alone prevents six percent of child mortality, but it has continued to be considered as sub-optimal in Ethiopia. Around the age of 6 months, infant needs for energy and micronutrients start to exceed what is provided by breast milk They are developmentally ready to initiate additional (complementary) food, which is necessary to meet their extra energy and micronutrient requirement [1]. Undernutrition results in 3 million child deaths annually and this amounts to 45 % of all causes of mortality Over twothirds of these deaths are often associated with inappropriate feeding practice and occur during the first year of life [5, 6]. Optimal breastfeeding prevents 13 % of the deaths occurring in children under five, and appropriate complementary feeding results in an additional six percent reduction [9]
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