Prevalence and Factors Associated With Complementary Feeding Practices among Children Aged 6–23Months in Ataye Town, Central Ethiopia
Abstract
Mulat Mossie Menalu and Michael Amera Tizazu
Background: The impact of malnutrition in the first two years of child age on child mortality and morbidity can be prevented through adequate child nutrition practice. Appropriate complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia is very low and the EDHS report shows small changes over time. Therefore, this study aimed to assess complementary feeding practice among 6-23 months of age children in Ataye town, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 216 mothers selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview by trained nurses. EpiData 3.4 and SPSS version 21 were used for data entry and analysis respectively.
Results: More than half (55.2%) mothers had appropriate complementary feeding practice. Bottle-feeding and Postnatal care were significant predictors of appropriate complementary feeding practice. Appropriate complementary feeding practice was two-fold higher [AOR 2.053 95%CI (1.051-4.011)] and 3.4 times higher [AOR 3.434, 95%CI (1.021, 11.552)] among non-bottle feeding and PNC attendant respectively.
Conclusions: There is relatively a higher appropriate complementary feeding practice in Ataye town. Non-bottle feeding and PNC attendance increase appropriate complementary feeding practice. Therefore, it is important to encourage postnatal care service utilization by mothers and nutritional advice should emphasis avoiding bottle feeding practice.