Abstract
Background Dietary diversity is one of the key elements of diet quality. Even though different measures were taken to increase dietary diversity feeding practice in Ethiopia, the problem still remains high. Therefore, this study was done to identify determinants of inadequate minimum dietary practice among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia. Method Secondary analysis of the data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey was done on a weighted sample of 5161 children aged 6-59 months. Data analysis was done using STATA v.14. Variables with P value < 0.05 in the bivariable analysis were candidates for the multivariable analysis to identify independent determinants of dietary diversity. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 5161 children aged 6 to 59 months were enrolled in the study. Only 8.5% of the children had the recommended minimum dietary diversity. Mother's education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.51 (1.65, 3.83)), mothers currently working (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.83 (1.47, 2.29)), mother's wealth index (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.75 (3.31, 6.81)), age of a child (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.72 (1.24, 2.39)), and number of under-five children (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.49 (1.12, 2.00)) were significantly associated with the minimum dietary diversity. Conclusion The minimum dietary diversity was not achieved by most children 6-59 months of age in Ethiopia. Ensuring large-scale interventions that focus on the identified factors should be considered by concerned bodies to improve the dietary diversity practice.
Highlights
Dietary diversity is one of the key elements of diet quality
The previous studies state about determinants of inadequate diet diversity practice, studies from Bangladesh [20], Dejen District, North West Ethiopia [21], and Malawi: findings from nationally representative data [22] showed that younger children and children from the poor household were less likely to meet the minimum dietary diversity
Explanatory variables that were significantly associated with the outcome variable at P value less than 5% were included in the multivariable logistic regression model to identify independent determinants of minimum dietary diversity (MDD)
Summary
Malnutrition remains a serious burden of a public health concern The dietary diversity score has been identified as a potentially useful indicator of nutrient adequacy of children’s diets [12,13,14]. This score can be used to assess the macroand micronutrient consumption levels [15, 16]. The previous studies state about determinants of inadequate diet diversity practice, studies from Bangladesh [20], Dejen District, North West Ethiopia [21], and Malawi: findings from nationally representative data [22] showed that younger children and children from the poor household were less likely to meet the minimum dietary diversity. The result of this study will be used for national-level policymaking and programming by concerned bodies to intervene the identified gaps
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