Abstract:
Background: Complementary feeding is the introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods at six months of age with small amounts and increasing the quantity, as the child gets older, while maintaining frequent breast-feeding for 2 years or beyond. Late initiation of complementary feeding beyond 8 months may lead to nutritional deficiencies; affect the child's physical, cognitive, growth and development. This study aims to assess the late initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors among mothers of children aged 9 to 23 months.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of late initiation of complementary feeding and its associated factors among mothers of children 9-23 months of age in Holota town, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1 to 31, 2023, in Holota town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A total of 516 mothers of children aged 9-23 months were included in the study participants. Face-to-face interviews with pre-tested structured questionnaires were employed to collect data. Data was entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.5 and then exported to SPSS version 27 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were utilized for data analysis at a 95% confidence interval. A statistically significant variable was selected based on a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: The response rate was 100%, and the prevalence of late initiation complementary feeding was 29 (5.6%) at 95% CI: (3.62, 7.58). In this study, male child sex has a positive association (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.12, 9.88), four to eight ANC visits have a negative association (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.52), complementary feeding advised during ANC visits has a negative association (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.58), and complementary feeding advised during PNC visit has a negative association (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02, 0, 50) were found to be significantly associated with late initiation of complementary feeding.
Conclusion: The prevalence of late initiation of complementary feeding in the study area was relatively low as compared to other parts of the country. Child sex, four to eight ANC visits, and maternal advice on complementary feeding during ANC and PNC were factors associated with late initiation of complementary feeding.
Recommendation: Promoting timely initiation complementary feeding requires community engagement, HEWs integrating practice into ANC/PNC, strengthening counseling services, expanding access to maternal and child health services.
