Abstract:
Background: Optimal feeding practice is defined interms of appropriate initiation timing,
dietary/food quantity and quality given to children aged 6-23 months and will determine their
lifetime nutritional status. This age group is critical window period for optimal growth and
development of the child. However, little was said so far on optimal feeding practice and its
associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia in general and the study
area in particular.
Objective: To assess optimal feeding feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of
children aged 6-23 months in rural Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia.
Method: Community based cross sectional study was conducted 554 mothers-child (6-23 months)
pairs in rural Haramaya district from February 08-30, 2018. Multistage sampling technique was used
to select study participants. Pretested-structured questionnaires and validated standard checklist were
used to collect data from mothers-child pairs through face-to-face-interview. Data were entered into
Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were conducted to
describe characteristics of participants. Bivariate and multivariable analysis was used to identify
factors associated with optimal feeding practice. A P<0.05 and AOR with its 95% CI were used to
report presence and strength of associations, respectively.
Results: The Prevalence of optimal feeding practice among mothers of children aged 6-23 months
was 53.5% (95% CI; 0.49, 0.58). Optimal feeding practice among mothers of children aged 6-23
months were significantly associated with family monthly income of 1500-3000 ETB [(AOR=0.52,
95% CI: (0.28, 0.98)], institutional delivery [(AOR=1.61, 95% CI: (1.06, 2.46)], visiting PNC at
least three times [(AOR=2.53, 95% CI: (1.67, 3.82)], everheard information [(AOR=3.05, 95% CI:
(1.85, 5.02)], access to healthcare [(AOR=2.61, 95% CI: (1.65, 4.09)], presence of separate (child‘s)
feeding plate [(AOR=1.75, 95% CI: (1.16, 2.64)] and participating/attending on optimal feeding
practice/demonstrations at kebele/community level [(AOR=2.02, 95% CI: (1.33, 3.07)].
Conclusion: The Prevalence of optimal feeding practice of participants was found to be low in the
district. Optimal feeding practice among mothers of children aged 6-23 months were significantly
associated with average monthly income, institutional delivery, visited PNC at least three times,
access to healthcare and child dietary related factors. This study recommended strengthening
existing healthcare services for mothers and their children to prevent suboptimal feeding practices
