Abstract:
Background: Feeding practices have an important effect on childhood development. Infants
feeding practices encompass breastfeeding and complementary feeding. An optimal infant
feeding practice contributes to the decrease in the risks of childhood mortality and morbidity and
adds to child development growth. The World Health Organization (WHO), in the Infant and
Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines, recommends at least 5 months exclusive breastfeeding
and this shall be supported by a complementary food that goes up to 2 years or above. Despite
the gain recorded from adequate infant feeding practices, current documented evidence is yet to
meet the WHO standards especially in developing countries where optimal feeding practices
vary between 15% to 71% of the case. Purpose of study: the study was purported to identify
determinants of complementary feeding especially minimum dietary diversity
Methods: this was a secondary data analysis from Rwanda Demographic and health survey
(2014-15). To select the sample, the Rwanda Demographics and health survey used multi-stage
sampling strategies. At the start, the village was selected as clusters. And household sampling
was done with the probability proportional to the village size. Thereafter, a mapping process
continued with a listing of all household in the corresponding Village. RDHS surveyed 3615
under five year’s children of which 220 were aged between 6-8 months.
Results: Results of this study showed that 56.7% of the participants timely initiated the soft and
solid food while those who fed their kids with Minimum Dietary Diversity were at 32% only.
Results on factors associated with complementary feeding especially Minimum Dietary Diversity
document that the more the mother is educated the more likely she is able to feed the child with
minimum dietary diversity (OR: .397, CI: .228; 694, p≤.001). it was found as well that people
who are wealthier and staying in cities are the ones to provide adequate Minimum Dietary
Diversity (OR:.485, CI: .296;.796, p≤.004). (OR: .530, CI: .368; .765, p≤.001)
Conclusion
Complementary feeding practices especially Minimum Dietary Diversity is far from meeting the
standards. Factors that include a zone of residence, marital status, mother education, and the
wealth categories influence the complementary feeding practices.
