Self-monitoring improved child feeding among low educated slum mothers in Bangladesh, a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Jannat ◽  
M Rahman ◽  
K Agho ◽  
S Parvez ◽  
D Merom
Keyword(s):  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Visual Aid ◽  
Low Educated

Abstract Issue Child undernutrition in urban slums is the most serious but least addressed health problem in many LMICs including Bangladesh. Slum children are deprived of adequate feeding as advocated by WHO. Face-to-face contact to monitor adherence to child feeding recommendations is costly. We aimed to identify if a visual aid for self-monitoring, in the form of a pictorial calendar, could assist illiterate slum mothers to self-regulate their child feeding behaviours and increase adherence to recommended child feeding practices. Description of the practice: A mixed method study was conducted (Randomised Controlled Trial + semi-structured qualitative interviews) over four weeks in a slum area of Dhaka city. Thirty-four mothers to child aged 6-23 months having <5 years of education were recruited. Mothers randomized to intervention arm (n = 17) received an hour of complementary feeding education along with a pictorial calendar and color-coded stickers representing food groups. The control arm received the education session only. The primary outcome was Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD: ≥4 food groups in past 24 hours); the Generalised Estimation Equations (GEE) with a log link and binomial family was used to test treatment by time interactions. Results The proportion of achieving MDD was more common (RR 1.2, 95%CI 0.8, 1.8) among mothers from intervention arm compared to control mothers. Intervention mothers were more likely to identify the appropriate food groups compared to control mothers. More than 80% of the mothers completed the calendar for all 28 days of study duration. During qualitative interviews, most mothers (4/5) stated that the pictorial calendar acted as a reminder for them. Lessons An encouraging tendency towards better complementary feeding and better knowledge was seen among the intervention mothers compared to controls. Future research with a larger sample is needed to establish the significance of effect size. Key messages Pictorial calendar appeared to help sustain knowledge and improve feeding practices. Self-monitoring using a pictorial calendar could be a good visual aid for low-educated mothers from low socio-economic status.

scholarly journals Feeding practices of young children aged 12–23 months in different socio-economic settings: a study from an urban area of Indonesia

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (S1) ◽  
pp. S1-S7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otte Santika ◽  
Judhiastuty Februhartanty ◽  
Iwan Ariawan
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Fortified Foods ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices

AbstractPoor feeding practices among young children lead to malnutrition, and the poor are at a greater risk than the better off groups. Child-feeding practices in various socio-economic strata, especially in urban settings, have not yet been well studied in Indonesia. This study aims to explore the feeding practices of 12–23 months old children from different socio-economic status (SES) groups. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, which included low (n 207), medium-high (n 205), medium-low (n 208) and high SES households (n 194) in forty-three villages within thirty-three sub-districts of Bandung city. Two non-consecutive 24 h recall and eight core indicators of child-feeding practices were assessed through interviews. The results showed that children from the high SES group were more likely to be exclusively breast-fed and to continue breast-feeding up to 1 year of age, met minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet, and also consumed Fe-rich or Fe-fortified foods. In contrast, children from low SES consumed more energy-rich food (grain) but fewer foods from the other food groups. Consumption of major nutrients differed across the SES groups. Inadequate nutrition was higher among children from the lower SES groups. Fortified foods were consumed by a larger proportion of children from the high SES group and contributed considerably to their overall nutrient intake. This study shows that young children’s feeding practices were not adequate, most notably among the low SES households. However, after adjusting with potential confounders, there was not enough evidence to conclude SES as a risk factor for feeding practice.

scholarly journals Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Complementary Feeding and Child Undernutrition in the Vakinankaratra Region of Madagascar: A Mixed-Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Deana Hildebrand ◽  
Gail E Gates ◽  
David G Thomas ◽  
Fanjaniaina Fawbush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Complementary Foods ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Child Undernutrition

ABSTRACT Background Data are limited on how feeding knowledge and practices relate to child undernutrition in the highlands of Madagascar. Objectives This study assessed maternal knowledge and practices of complementary feeding and their associations with anthropometrics of children aged 6–23 mo in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar. Methods Knowledge was assessed using WHO recommendations on child feeding, and WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were used to evaluate feeding practices. Child growth was measured as length-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length z-scores using the 2006 WHO growth standards. A z-score less than −2 was classified as child undernutrition. Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between independent variables and outcomes. Focus group discussions among mothers and in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted; barriers and facilitators of optimal feeding practices were identified using a thematic analysis approach. Results Maternal knowledge scores regarding child feeding averaged 6.4 of 11. Better knowledge scores were associated with higher odds of appropriate complementary feeding practices before and after covariate adjustments. The proportions of children achieving the minimum dietary diversity (35.8%), minimum acceptable diet (30.2%), and consuming meat, fish, and poultry (14.1%) were low. Only consumption of iron-rich foods was associated with lower odds of underweight (adjusted OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.7; P < 0.05). None of the IYCF indicators were associated significantly with stunting or wasting. Maternal attitudes about complementary foods, as well as mothers’ workload and very low income, were identified as barriers to optimal feeding practices. Maternal perceived benefits of giving appropriate complementary foods as well as their positive relationship with the community health workers were the main facilitators of optimal child feeding. Conclusions Integrated nutrition-sensitive interventions addressing these barriers while enhancing the facilitators are critical in promoting better feeding practices in the Vakinankaratra region.

scholarly journals Complementary Feeding Practices and Associated Factors Among Infants and Young Children 6–23 Months in Fort Portal Kabarole District Uganda (P11-049-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Bagaaya ◽  
Henry Wamani ◽  
Richard Kajura
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infants And Young Children

Abstract Objectives To determine the prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practices and associated factors among infants and young children 6–23 months in Fort Portal municipality Kabarole Uganda Methods A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 206 mothers/caregivers of infants and young children 6–23 months using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Probability proportionate to population size technique was used to select study subjects. A pretested WHO standard questionnaire for measuring infant and young child feeding practices was adopted for assessing complementary feeding practices. Appropriate complementary feeding was defined as attaining both minimum meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity in the last 24 hours. Prevalence ratios and there 95% confidence intervals were generated. Modified poisson regression analysis method was used to generate factors associated with appropriate complementary feeding. Five focus group discussions were conducted to capture participants perceptions on appropriate complementary feeding practices. Results The prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding was 21.4%. Formal employment (PR: 7.05; CI:1.69-29.36), cohabiting (PR: 2.15; CI: 1.10-4.18) and having no child illness (PR: 1.85; CI: 0.88-4.35) were associated with appropriate complementary feeding. Qualitative results showed that inadequate information and low income as major challenges towards appropriate complementary feeding practices. Conclusions Appropriate complementary feeding practices were low. unless interventions such as; health services access and women entrepreneurship are put in place, the inappropriate complementary feeding practices are unlikely to change. Funding Sources Ministry of Health Uganda. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Minimum Diet Diversity and Minimum Meal Frequency – Do They Matter Equally? Understanding IYCF Practices in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1012-1012
Author(s):  
Ayushi Jain ◽  
Muneer Kalliyil ◽  
Satish Agnihotri
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutritional Outcomes

Abstract Objectives Infant and Young Child Feeding practices, mainly, complementary feeding in children between 6 months and two years of age, is found to be sub-optimal and emerge as the weakest link in improving child nutrition outcomes in India. Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), comprising of two sub-indicator – Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), serves as an essential indicator to understand the diet adequacy pattern in children. The objective of this study was thus to investigate the role of MDD-MMF dyad in influencing the nutritional outcomes in children and its pattern across regions in India. Methods Data was obtained from the National Family Health Survey – 4 (NFHS-4) from the DHS Program website. The prevalence of MMF and MDD was calculated for 640 districts in India. The MMF and MDD were classified into three categories - high, medium and low based on equal percentile distribution of their prevalence range. Districts with high MMF and high MDD formed one cohort. Similarly, eight other cohorts were created based on their performance on MMF and MDD indicator. The prevalence of Stunting (St), Wasting (Wa) and Underweight (Uw) in children between 6 months and two years of age was then calculated for each of the nine cohorts. The districts were also mapped based on their cohort category to study the variation across regions in India. Results All three anthropometric indicators – stunting, wasting and underweight showed significant decline moving across low MMF- low MDD cohort (40% St; 26.2% Wa; 37.1% Uw) to medium MMF – medium MDD cohort (38.6% St; 23.8% Wa; 35.4% Uw) to high MMF – high MDD cohort (29% St; 15.5% Wa; 19.2% Uw). Second, the importance of minimum dietary diversity in improving nutritional outcomes was revealed, as opposed to minimum meal frequency, which shows improvement only when it reaches a certain threshold. Third, mapping revealed sharp differences across various regions in MMF-MDD pattern, especially in the states like Odisha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. States in the central region performed poorly on complementary feeding indicators, specifically diet diversity. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of optimal complementary feeding practices in improving nutrition outcomes and the need to consider the regional heterogeneities while promoting IYCF practices in India. Funding Sources None.

scholarly journals Complementary feeding practices and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Pakistan

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247602
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Muhammad Arif ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad Shah
Keyword(s):  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
The Individual

Premature mortality and undernutrition rates in Pakistan are among the highest in the world. Inadequate infant and young child feeding are the major causes of premature mortality and undernutrition. Yet, very little is known about the determinants of complementary feeding practices in Pakistan. Therefore, this study aims to identify the determinants of inadequate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6 to 23 months in Pakistan by using the latest nationally representative data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2017–18). The results show that only 12% of children consume a minimum acceptable diet, 21% achieve minimum dietary diversity, and 38% reach minimum meal frequency. Multivariate regression analysis shows that child age, child weight at birth, mother’s access to newspapers/magazines at the individual level, wealth at the household level, and prenatal visits at the community level are significant predictors of complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Pakistan. These findings show that, in addition to poverty alleviation, raising awareness through health practitioners, increasing access to media, and expanding access to child and maternal healthcare can improve complementary feeding practices in Pakistan. This consequently reduces premature mortality and undernutrition.

scholarly journals Poor child complementary Feeding Practices in northwest Ethiopia: Finding from the Baseline Survey of Nutrition Project, 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zegeye Abebe ◽  
Amare Tariku ◽  
Gashaw Andargie Bikes ◽  
Molla Mesele Wassie ◽  
Kedir Abdela Gonete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity Score ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Child Feeding Practices

Abstract Background Improving infant and young child feeding practices is critical to improved nutrition, health, and development of children. Ethiopia adopted the WHO recommendations of child feeding practices and developed the national guideline. In spite of this fact, only few children start and received appropriate complementary feeding based on the recommendation. Therefore, the study aimed to determine dietary diversity score and its associated factors among under five children at Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System site (HDSS), northwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional community based study was carried out from February to June 2016. All children aged 6–59 months old who lived in HDSS site were included in the survey. Odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of association. Finally, variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.. Results In this study, a total of 3433 children were included. About 34.87% (95%CI: 33.27, 36.49%) of the children received adequately diversified diet. The odds of receiving adequately diversified diet was higher among children whose mother had secondary and above education (AOR = 6.51; 95%CI: 4.95, 8.56), had antenatal care (AOR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.60, 2.26) and postnatal care visits (AOR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.00, 1, 72), and children who feed with their family (AOR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.17, 1.65). However, a lower dietary diversity score was observed among younger children; 6–11 months old (AOR = 0.59; 95%CI: 0.41, 0.85), and children from food insecure household (AOR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.63, 0.92). Conclusions Diversified diet feeding practice is low in Dabat HDSS site. Age of the child, maternal education, antenatal and postnatal care visits, and household food insecurity were significantly associated with dietary diversity of children. Hence, ensuring household food security and enhancing the coverage of maternal health care utilization are recommended to increase dietary diversity of children.

scholarly journals Mothers’ Competence in Child Feeding Recommendations, Complementary Feeding Practices and Determinants of Adequate Diet

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
VICTOR MOGRE ◽  
Kingsley B Appiah ◽  
Ernest K Cheyuo ◽  
Abdul-Mumin Alhassan ◽  
Martin A Ayanore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Abstract Background Appropriate complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infant and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ competency in infant and young child feeding recommendations and their association to complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months.Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during the child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of appropriate diet.Results Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n = 188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n = 183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum acceptable diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0; p < 0.001) and child’s father reportedly earning enough financially (AOR = 12.1 (1.32–109.72; p = 0.027).Conclusion Poor complementary feeding practices were common and mother’s knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the income levels of the child’s father were important determinants of appropriate diet. Nutrition education should emphasis on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with appropriate complementary foods.

scholarly journals The influence of dietary diversity on the nutritional status of children between 6 and 23 months of age in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Gharib Khamis ◽  
Akwilina Wendelin Mwanri ◽  
Julius Edward Ntwenya ◽  
Katharina Kreppel
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Eastern And Southern Africa ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children

Abstract Background Undernutrition poses a serious health challenge in developing countries and Tanzania has the highest undernutrition burden of Eastern and Southern Africa. Poor infant and young child feeding practices have been identified as the main causes for undernutrition. As dietary diversity is a major requirement if children are to get all essential nutrients, it can thus be used as one of the core indicators when assessing feeding practices and nutrition of children. Therefore, adequate information on the association between dietary diversity and undernutrition to identify potential strategies for the prevention of undernutrition is critical. Here we examined to what extent dietary diversity is associated with undernutrition among children of 6 to 23 months in Tanzania. Methods Using existing data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey of 2015–2016, we carried out secondary data analysis. Stunting, Wasting and Underweight of the surveyed children were calculated from Z-scores of Height-for-age (HAZ), Weight-for-height (WHZ) and Weight-for-age (WAZ) based on 2006 WHO standards. A composite dietary diversity score was created by summing the number of food groups eaten the previous day as reported for each child by the mother ranging from 0 to 7. Then, minimum dietary diversity (MDD) of 4 food groups out of seven was used to assess the diversity of the diet given to children. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to assess the crude and adjusted odds ratios of stunting, wasting and being underweight. Results A total of 2960 children were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of stunting was 31%, wasting 6% and underweight 14%. Among all children, 51% were female and 49% male. The majority (74%) of children did not reach the MDD. The most commonly consumed types of foods were grains, roots and tubers (91%), and Vitamin A containing fruits and vegetables (65%). The remaining food groups were reported to be consumed by a much lower proportion of children, including eggs (7%), meat and fish (36%), milk and dairy products (22%), as well as legumes and nuts (35%), and other vegetables (21%). Consumption of a diverse diet was significantly associated with a reduction of stunting, wasting and being underweight in children. The likelihood of being stunted, wasted and underweight was found to decrease as the number of food groups consumed increased. Children who did not receive the MDD had a significantly higher likelihood of being stunted (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI; 1.13–1.65) and underweight (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI; 1.15–1.92), but this was not the case for wasting. Consumption of animal-source foods has been found to be associated with reduced stunting among children. Conclusion Consumption of a diverse diet is associated with a reduction in undernutrition among children of 6 to 23 months in Tanzania. Measures to improve the type of complementary foods in order to meet the energy and nutritional demands of children should be considered in Tanzania.

scholarly journals Complementary Feeding Practices and Associated Factors Among Nursing Mothers in Southwestern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-231
Author(s):  
Folake Olukemi Samuel ◽  
Ebunoluwa Grace Ibidapo
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
Nursing Mothers

Background and Objectives: The period of transition from breastfeeding to other foods and liquids, is a very vulnerable period when malnutrition is likely to start in many infants and young children, if appropriate feeding practices are not employed. This study assessed using composite indices, the appropriateness of complementary feeding practices and associated factors among nursing mothers in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in selected primary health facilities in Ijebu-Ode. Multi stage sampling technique was employed to select 283 mother-child pairs. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire which included the World Health Organization Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators (WHO IYCF) and the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI). Results: Of the total 283 mother-child pairs studied, 33.6% met minimum meal frequency, 14.5% received minimum dietary diversity (?4 food groups) and 9.2% received minimum acceptable diet when assessed using the WHO IYCF indicators. Overall, appropriate complementary feeding was low (4.2%) and associated (p?0.05) with factors such as antenatal care visits, child welfare clinic attendance and mother’s workplace. On the other hand, the ICFI categorized respondents into low (11.7%), medium (24.7%) and high (63.6%) ICFI scores and were associated (p?0.05) with mother’s education and household size. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: This study revealed a high prevalence of inappropriate complementary feeding practices. The use of composite indices reflected these practices and their associated factors holistically as they revealed different dimensions of complementary feeding. This may be useful for monitoring, evaluation, research and the required advocacy for complementary feeding. Key words: • Appropriate complementary feeding • IYCF indicators • Feeding practices • Infant and child feeding index   Copyright © 2020 Samuel and Ibidapo. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in this journal, is properly cited.

scholarly journals Determinants of infant and young complementary feeding practices among children 6–23 months of age in urban Pakistan: a multicenter longitudinal study

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabina Ariff ◽  
Kamran Saddiq ◽  
Javairia Khalid ◽  
Laila Sikanderali ◽  
Batha Tariq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Child Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Healthy Infants

Abstract Background Suboptimal feeding practices have a negative impact on children’s health and growth in the first 2 years of life and increase their risk of undernutrition, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the factors that influence infant and young child feeding practices among urban mothers in a hospital setting at Karachi, Pakistan. Methods A longitudinal multi-center cohort study was conducted in four countries, MULTICENTER BODY COMPOSITION REFERENCE STUDY (MBCRS) to produce normal body composition reference data in healthy infants from 3 months to 24 months of age. Repeated anthropometric (weight, length and head circumference) and body composition measurements using “deuterium dilution method” along with 24-h dietary recall questionnaires were performed on 250 healthy term infants at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The 24-h dietary recall data from this study was used to assess the breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in children aged 6–24 months. Results A total of 250 healthy infants were enrolled in the study. A majority of newborns (75.4%) were exclusively breastfed till 3 months of age; however, by 6 months of age, only 30.2% of infants were exclusively breastfed. Only 44.1% of children aged 6–24 months achieved minimum dietary diversity (MDD), 84.7% achieved minimum meal frequency (MMF), and 44.1% achieved a minimum acceptable diet (MAD). 71.4% achieved MDD and MAD and 100% achieved MMF at 24 months. The bivariate analysis found that breastfed children (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.72–5.68), with employed mothers (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.06–2.27) who had graduated from secondary school (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08–1.94) were more likely to meet minimum dietary diversity. The multivariable analysis showed that only the child’s age was significantly associated with MDD (p value< 0.0001), with the likelihood of meeting MDD increasing as the children aged; 9 months (OR 18.96, 95% CI 6.63–54.19), 12 months (OR 40.25, 95% CI 14.14–114.58), 18 months (OR 90.02, 95% CI 30.84–262.77) and 24 months (OR 82.14, 95% CI 27.23–247.83). Conclusion Our study revealed that Infant and young child feeding practices are significantly associated with maternal education, employment, and the child’s age. Therefore, it is essential that investments be made towards protective breastfeeding and complementary feeding policies and legislations, emphasis on female education and ensuring the availability of affordable nutritious and diverse foods.

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