Current Level and Determinants of Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices among Lactating Mothers of Children in Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
An appropriate diet is critical in the growth and development of children especially in the first
two years of life. Poor complementary feeding of children aged 6–23 months contributes to the
characteristics negative growth trends and deaths observed in developing countries. Previous
studies evidence strongly call for the need to improvement of complementary feeding practices
but there is a scarce evidence for overall complementary feeding practices that captured the
multidimensionality of feeding practices including dietary diversity, frequency, and acceptable
diet an and associated factors in the region, especially, in the study area. Therefore, this study
aimed to assess current level and determinants of optimal complementary feeding practices
among mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months in Ambo town. The study used cross sectional
study design and targeted 336 mothers with children 6-23 months olds. Proportionate stratified
sampling was used to select households in different kebeles and two stage cluster sampling was
used to select households with mothers/caregivers and children 6-23 months old. A researcher
administered questionnaire and focus group discussion guide were used to collect information
from the respondents. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0 windows
statistical software. Chi-square tests were made to evaluate optimal complimentary feeding
practice and associated factors, and P-value < 0.05, at 95% CI was taken as cut off point for
statistical significance. All (100%) the children 6-8 months old had received solid, semi-solid or
soft foods. The minimum meal frequency was attained by 88.3% (95% CI 84.3-91.4) whereas the
minimum dietary diversity was attained by 17.9% (95% CI 14.1-22.5). In addition, the minimum
acceptable diet was attained by 15.4% (95% CI 11.9-19.8). Maternal knowledge on: importance
of breastfeeding (87.3%); age of introduction of complementary foods (85.4%) and correct meal
frequency for age (74.5%) was high. On the contrary, knowledge on the importance of enriching
complementary foods (34.5%) was low. Mothers who knew the importance of a diverse diet were
likely (chi-square test; p=0.001) to feed their children on a diverse diet. On the other hand,
mothers who knew the importance of enriching complementary foods were likely to feed their
children on a minimum acceptable diet (chi-square test; p=0.007) and maternal knowledge on
enriching complementary foods (OR=3.41, p=0.040) were significant predictors of consumption
of Vitamin A rich foods, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet respectively.
Behavioral change and communication involving all the stakeholders in infant and young child
feeding should be emphasized. Messages on appropriate feeding practices should include
importance of dietary diversity. A longitudinal study should be conducted to effectively link
feeding practices and individual growth patterns.
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Keywords
Complementary feeding, breastfeeding, Ambo town, Children age 6–23 months, Determinant