Haile PhD, AbebeBelay, Assefa2020-11-092023-11-182020-11-092023-11-182019-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/23095An 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.enComplementary feeding, breastfeeding, Ambo town, Children age 6–23 months, DeterminantThesis