सामुदायिक चिकित्सा एवं स्वास्थ्य शिक्षा

अमूर्त

Complementary Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among Mothers of Children 6-23 Months of Age in Dejene District, Northwest, Ethiopia 2015

Bezie WW, Aredo KK

Background: Infant and child feeding practices are the major determinants of nutritional status. The period of complementary feeding is the time of peak incidence of growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies and infectious illnesses. The aim this study was to assess timely initiation complementary feeding and associated factors of mothers of children 6-23 months of age in Dejen District, Northwest Ethiopia 2015.

Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was adopted on 558 mothers who randomly selected from eight kebeles based on population proportion. The data was collected using pretested structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview in July 2015. The collected data was entered and analyzed in to SPSS windows version 20.0. The analysis part contains descriptive and inferential statistics. Bivariate and multiple variable logistic regression analysis computed. A P-value <0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant in this study.

Result: Out of 558 respondents, 380(68.1%) in 20-34 years age range and 312(55.9%) children in 12-23 months range of age. More than half of 209(52%) respondents were started complementary feeding timely. Use minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency were 42.1% and 45.7% respectively. In multivariate analysis, respondents’ higher level of awareness (AOR=3.08; 95%CI: 1.93-4.90), getting information from health care providers (AOR=2.82; 95%Cl: 1.23-6.45), less frequently feeding (AOR=20%; 95%CI: 0.007-0.054) and minimum diet diversity (AOR=14%; 95%CI: 0.05-0.35) were associated with timely introducing complementary feeding. Reasons for not early initiation for complementary feeding was 447(80.1%) lack of knowledge, 39(7%) perceived insufficient breast milk production, working outdoor activities and 10(1.8%) child’s illness.

Conclusion: The proportions of mothers who initiate timely complimentary feeding, acceptable meal frequency, and dietary diversity were found to be low. Level of awareness, getting information, less frequently feeding and minimum diet diversity were associated variables. Maternal health care utilization and health information should be strengthening to all expectant mothers.