Feeding practices and its association with nutritional status of children 6-23 months in rural kebeles of nada district, jimma zone southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Poor Infant and Young Child Feeding practices are a major cause of child malnutrition. More than one third of child mortality in developing countries could be prevented by appropriate complementary feeding practices. Transition period from exclusive breastfeeding to two years is critical for optimal growth and development. There is limited information on child feeding practices and their association with nutritional status. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to assess feeding practices and its association with nutritional status of children. Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in rural Kebeles of Nada District during March, 2017 among children aged between 6 and 23 months. Simple random sampling method was employed to enroll the eligible and data on socio-demographic and anthropometric measurements were collected using structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS 20.0 statistical software, respectively. WHO anthro software was used to convert length and weight measurements into LAZ, WLZ and WAZ. Multivariable logistic regression with p value <0.05 identify independent predictors of each under nutrition Results: The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight among infants and young children were 3.6 % (95 % CI: 2.4-4.8), 39.7 % (95 % CI: 22.9-39.9) and 16.4 % (95 % CI: 9.5-18.5) respectively. House hold food in security AOR=2.2 (1.033, 4.668), low socio-economic status AOR=2.5(1.284, 3.919), poor maternal schooling AOR=2.1(1.012, 3.297) were significantly associated with stunting. Similarly less minimum dietary diversity AOR=2.33 (1.302, 4.151), house hold food security, age of child AOR=2.109(2.440, 4.844) and time of complementary initiation AOR=2.129(1.278, 2.861) were significantly associated with underweight and household food secured OR=0.204(0.57, 0.729) and diarrheal disease AOR=5.6(1.748, 19.668) were significant predictor of wasting. Conclusion: Under nutrition is a public health problem among infants and young children in nada district. Low socio-economic status, poor maternal schooling were identified to be significant predictors of stunting and Low dietary diversity scores, inappropriate age of complementary feeding initiation were predictors of underweight. Diarrheal disease was found to be the most attributable factors of wasting in the district. Recommendation: Intervention should focus on improving house hold food security, support income generation, nutrition education. Should put effort to increase female education in order to improve the appropriate feeding practices. Prevention and control of diarrheal diseases. Encouraging and strengthening appropriate complementary feeding with breast feeding child after six months of ages. Health workers/health extension workers should encourage mothers to introduce complementary foods when their children are 6 months old. Community management of malnutrition should be strengthened by the health sectors