Background. Dietary diversity (DD) is among the core infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators. However, in many developing countries, meeting the minimum standards of DD is challenging and information concerning its determinants is limited. Objective. To assess the level and predictors of DD among children aged 6-23 months in rural communities of Aleta Wondo district, Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Method. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Aleta Wondo in February 2016. Multistage sampling was employed to recruit 502 children aged 6-23 months. DD was assessed by asking the mother whether the index child had received food from the standard seven food groups in the previous day, without setting minimum intake restrictions. Ultimately, the dietary diversity score (DDS) was rated on a 7-point scale, and it was modeled using linear regression analysis. The outputs are presented using adjusted regression coefficients (beta). Results. Only 12.0% (95% confidence interval: 9.0-15.0%) of the children met the minimum recommended DD, receiving from four or more from seven food groups. The analysis identified eleven significant predictors of DDS. As the maternal knowledge of IYCF increases by a unit, DDS raised by 0.21 units (p=0.004). Unit increment in the husband's involvement in the IYCF score was linked with 0.32 units improvement in DDS (p=0.016). One unit change in the ordinal category of household food insecurity was associated with 0.13 reduction in DDS (p=0.001). Similarly, household wealth index (beta = 0.54, p=0.041), father's literacy (beta = 0.48, p=0.002), ownership of home garden (beta = 0.38, p=0.01), mother's participation in cooking demonstrations (beta = 0.19, p=0.036), and child age in months (beta = 0.04, p=0.001) were all positively associated with DDS. Furthermore, receiving IYCF information via mass media (beta = 0.04, p=0.001) and during antenatal (beta = 0.91, p=0.022) and postnatal checkups (beta = 0.21, p=0.043) were positive predictors of DDS. Conclusions. Promoting the socioeconomic status of the community, strengthening of home gardening, involving husbands in IYCF, and enhancing maternal knowledge of IYCF may advance DD.
