Minimum dietary diversity and associated factors among young infants and children living in the most productive area of Amhara region, Addis Zemen town: A community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background The consumption of poorly diversified diet during childhood exposes to malnutrition and interferes with normal growth and development. However, the burden and determinant factors are not understood in Addis Zemen town. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the minimum dietary diversity and determinant factors among children aged 6–23\xa0months. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Addis Zemen town south Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia from May 10 to 30/2018. A total of 517 infant-mother/caregiver pairs were included. The cluster sampling followed by simple random sampling technique was employed. Pretested structured face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. To ascertain minimum dietary diversity, the 24-hour food recall method comprising seven food item questionnaire was used. The presence of a statistical association between dependent and independent variables was declared using the adjusted Odds ratio corresponding with 95% confidence intervals and P-value of\xa0≤0.05. Result The overall proportion of children who met the minimum dietary diversity was 44.6% (95% CI: 40.1–49%). Childage (6–11\xa0months) [AOR\xa0=\xa00.55(0.34, 0.89)], Father’s occupation [AOR\xa0=\xa02.41((95% CI: 1.16, 5.01)], father’s educational status (primary and below) [AOR\xa0=\xa00.33(95% CI: 0.14, 0.76)], housewife mothers/caregivers OR\xa0=\xa02.41(AOR 95%: 1.16, 5.01)], did not have child history of illness in the last one week AOR\xa0=\xa01.58(95% CI: 1.01, 2.48)], and mothers knowledge on dietary diversity [AOR\xa0=\xa00.35(95% CI: 0.23, 0.55)], were factors associated with minimum dietary diversity. Conclusions Well over four out of in every ten children consumed the recommended diversified foods. Paternal educational and occupational status, mothers occupation, child’s age, history of childhood illness in the past one week, and knowledge of mothers on diversified foods were factors which predicted minimum dietary diversity. Thus, prevention of childhood illness, enhancing mothers/caregivers awareness towards complementary feeding, and promotion of nutrition in the earliest age of childhood is strongly suggested.