Determinants of complementary feeding practices among care givers of children aged between 6-23 months: a secondary data analysis from Rwanda demographic and health survey 2014-2015

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.