Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and associated factors among mothers of under 24 months in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

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