Determinants of complementary feeding initiation time among 6–23 months children in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia: Community-based case-control study

Introduction: Across the world, nutritional problems related to complementary feeding practices were among the leading killers for most of under-5 children. Timely initiation of complementary feeding was found to be a protective factor for stunting, furthermore, inappropriate timing of complementary feeding initiation was a risk factor for stunting and wasting, respectively. Therefore, this study intended to identify maternal and household determinants of complementary feeding initiation time among children aged 6 to 23 months in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted. Multistage sampling technique was used to get a total of 360 (equal proportion of cases and control) children with the age of between 6 and 23 months from their kebeles from March to May 2021. Data was collected by using face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. It was entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Variables having p ≤ 0.25 at bivariate analysis were fitted to multivariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression model was used at 95% confidence interval and with P-Value < 0.05. Results: In this study, marital status [AOR = 9.04, 95% CI= (2.32, 35.16)], maternal level of education (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI= (0.03, 0.68)), household feeding decision maker (AOR = 5.37, 95% CI= (1.95, 14.78)), household food insecurity (AOR = 3.35, 95% CI (1.25, 8.95)), household feeding preference [AOR = 2.79, 95% CI (1.21, 6.41)], family perception of breast feeding initiation time (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.23, 5.39)), knowledge [AOR = 3.43 (95% CI (1.68, 4.67))] and perception on availability of health facility (AOR = 5.04, 95% CI (1.82, 13.94)) were determinants of complementary feeding initiation practices. Conclusions: Marital status, maternal level of education, household feeding decision maker, household food insecurity, household feeding preference, family perception of breast feedinginitiation time, knowledge, and perception on availability of health facilities were determinants of complementary feeding initiation practices. Complementary consumption should be promoted among women who have a negative opinion of complementary feeding, and women should be empowered to make better decisions about feeding their babies.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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