Magnitude and Its Predictors of Minimum Dietary Diversity Feeding Practice Among Mothers Having Children Aged 6-23 Months in Goba Town, Southeast Ethiopia, 2018: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Diversified foods are considered key indicators of a balanced diet. Consumption of a minimum of four from the seven food groups is described as a minimum for dietary diversity. Nearly two-thirds of malnutrition-related child mortality is due to inappropriate feeding practice during the first two years of life. In Ethiopia, only five percent of children aged 6-23 months received a minimum diversity diet. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the predictors of minimum diversified diet feeding practice among mothers having children aged 6-23 months, in Goba Town, Southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based survey was employed in Bale-Goba town, Southeast Ethiopia from April to May 2018. A total of 517 study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling technique. A pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Ethical clearance was obtained from Madda Walabu University, Goba Referral Hospital. Data were entered to EpiData3.02 and analyzed using SPSS version 20, and the association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using bivariable and multiple logistic regression. Statistical significance was considered with 95% confidence interval and p-value of less than 0.05. Results: The proportion of children receiving minimum dietary diversity was 39.8% (95% CI 35.52, 44.08). Postnatal care visit (AOR=1.9 95% CI 1.3, 2.8) and attending growth-monitoring follow-up (AOR=1.5 95% CI 1.001, 2.2) were independent predictors, statically significant with dependent variable. Conclusion: Almost forty percent received minimum dietary diversity among the study subjects. Attending postnatal visit and having growth-monitoring follow-up were factors associated with minimal meal frequency practice. Encouraging mothers to attend postnatal care visits and frequently bring their children to growth-monitoring follow-up is highly recommended.