Abstract:
Background: Infant and young child feeding is a cornerstone of care for childhood
development. The first two years of life provide a critical window of opportunity for ensuring
children's appropriate growth and development through optimal feeding .Any damage caused
during this period could lead to impaired cognitive development, malnutrition, poor growth and
development, compromised educational achievement and low economic productivity.
Objective: To assess infant and young child feeding practices and associated factors in
Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region.
Methods and materials: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from
01/08/2006 to 30/08/2006 E.C. A total of 423 mothers who had child less than two years were
included in the study using simple random sampling technique. Female Public Health students
collected data using semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Bivariate and
multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors of infant and young
child feeding practices. Statistical significance was determined at p value level less than 0.05.
Result: A total of 417 (98.6%) mothers with their index child were interviewed. The ever
breastfeeding rate in this study was 98.3% while the timely initiation rate of breastfeeding and
exclusive breast feeding were 58.0% and 87.8% respectively. The prelacteal feed and colostrum
feeding rate were 49.4% and 65.5% respectively. One fourth (28.7%) of mothers reported using
of nipple bottle for feeding. The minimum food diversity and minimum meal frequency were
39.1% and 82.0% respectively. The proportion of timely introduction of solid, semi-solid and
soft foods was 65.7%. The prevalence of inappropriate infant and young child feeding practice in
study area was 67.9%. Being Government [AOR=9.81(1.90, 50.65) and private
[AOR=7.66(1.40, 41.94]] employee of husband, poorest socio-economical
status[AOR=1.39(1.30,6.48]), not attending ANC (AOR= 4.32(2.27,8.21)], child age 0-5 months
[AOR=16.01(5.01,50.03]), negative attitude of mothers [AOR=2.50(1.14,5.47)] and number of
children 3-4 [AOR=5.37(1.67,7.42)] were positively associated with inappropriate IYCFPs.
Conclusion and recommendation: A wide range of inappropriate infant and young child
feeding practices exist. Socio-economic status, age of child, number of children, ANC and
attitude affect IYCFPs. Increasing ANC coverage for further improvement of IYCF is
recommended
