Abstract
Achieving optimum Infant and young child feeding practices is the major challenge in developed and developing countries. Globally, about 40% of under two years age deaths are attributed to inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices. In Ethiopia, a wide range of inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices were documented. The study was aimed to assess infant and young child feeding practice and its associated factors among children aged 0-23 months in Assayita districts, Afar region, Ethiopia, 2018. A Community based cross-sectional study was applied from January1-30/2018 among 620 study participants. A pre tested structured questioner was used to collect data. After data get collected it was cleaned and entered using EPI-Data version-3.02 and exported to SPSS version-20 for further analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to measure the strength of association between explanatory variables and outcome variable. Variables with p<0.25 on univariable logistic regression analysis were candidates for multivariable logistic regression analysis and statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05 and 95% CI. In this study the prevalence of appropriate infant and young child feeding practice was 9.2% (95% CI. 7.1–11.6), children from mothers with secondary education (AOR=4.44, 95% CI (1.84, 10.7), delivered at health facilities (AOR=2.55, 95% CI (1.32, 4.93), had Ante Natal Care follow-up (AOR=4.2, 95% CI (2.2, 8.7), and heard information about Infant and young child feeding (AOR=4.38, 95% CI (1.97, 9.5) were predictors of appropriate Infant and young child feeding practice at 95% CI. Promoting institutional delivery, promoting Ante Natal Care service, maternal education and increasing awareness on infant and young child feeding practice should be implemented.
Highlights
Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in the first two years of life is base for growth and development of children. [1] The first 1000 days of life from conception through the first two years of life is a window of opportunity for child development with optimal nutrition and it avoids damage because the during this period is often permanent. [2] The global strategy for infant and young child feeding describes essential actions to protect, promote and support appropriate infant and young child feeding
[3] Under nutrition usually occurs at the age of 3-18 months, the child’s first two years of life are considered a critical window of opportunity for the prevention of growth retardation and under nutrition, age appropriate interventions should be taken to Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences 2019; 7(6): 96-104 ensure that children reach their full growth potential and to prevent irreversible stunting and acute under nutrition. [4, 5]
The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on infant and young child feeding practices do not provide the baseline or neither minimum standard that needs to be reached nor what percentage should be considered alarming for public health significance. [7,8] logically, it is desirable that all children 0 - 23 months meet the recommended feeding practices
Summary
Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in the first two years of life is base for growth and development of children. [1] The first 1000 days of life from conception through the first two years of life is a window of opportunity for child development with optimal nutrition and it avoids damage because the during this period is often permanent. [2] The global strategy for infant and young child feeding describes essential actions to protect, promote and support appropriate infant and young child feeding. [2] The global strategy for infant and young child feeding describes essential actions to protect, promote and support appropriate infant and young child feeding It focuses on the importance of investing in this crucial area to ensure that children grow to their full potential free from the adverse consequences of compromised nutritional status and preventable illnesses. Even after complementary foods have been introduced at 6th month, breastfeeding remains a critical source of nutrients for the infant and young child. It provides about one half of an infant’s energy needs up to the age of one year, and up to one third during the second year of life. Breastfeeding recommended up to 2 years and beyond with adequate complementary feeding. [6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
