Abstract:
Back ground; - Complementary feeding is the process that starts when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants. Hygiene practices of mother during complementary feeding (CF) of infants and children play a major role in the occurrence of childhood diarrheal diseases. However, Information regarding the hygiene practices during complimentary feeding and their associated factor is scant. Objective; - To assess prevalence of Good hygienic practice during complementary feeding and associated factors among mother of children age 6-24months in Adea Berga district, West shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia 2025.
Methods; - Community based cross- sectional study supplemented with qualitative study was conducted from January 1-30, 2025 and multistage sampling technique were used to select 527 study participants. First, the 40 kebeles of the district were stratified into urban and rural kebeles. Then two out of 5 urban Kebele and eleven out of 35 of rural Kebeles was selected by simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. Descriptive, binary logistic (p-value < 0.25) and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI and P-value <0.05 were used to measure strength of associations.
Results: total of 522 mothers/caregivers were participated in the study with a response rate of 99%. Out of 522 of mothers/caregivers, only 303(58%) of respondents had good hygienic practice. Being urban resident ((AOR= 3.760, 95% CI (1.881, 7.517)) and having secondary and above educational level (AOR =4.626 (2.515, 8.501)) and positive attitude toward hygienic practice (AOR= 4.282, 95% CI (2.766, 6.629)) were significantly associated with the good hygienic practice.
Conclusion: The overall good hygienic practice of mothers/caregivers of children aged 6-24 months was 58% in this study area. Being urban resident, being educated and positive Attitude towards hygienic practice were significantly associated with the good hygienic practice during complementary feeding among mothers who had children aged 6-24 months. Therefore, stakeholders could design a health Information program and counseling service for mothers regarding hygienic practice during complementary feeding
