Current Pediatric Research

Background: Infants are at an increased risk of malnutrition from six months of age onwards and hence timely initiation of nutritionally enough, reliable, age appropriate complementary feeding is urged for improved health and development of infants. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of timely initiation of complementary feeding in Halaba Kulito town, Southern Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 30 to June 4, 2016 among 320 mothers with their 6-23 months using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested and interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was carried out using SPSS version 20.0 software. Result: The magnitude of complementary feeding timing was 57.8%. Maternal education (AOR=4.18, CI: 1.02, 17.20), age at first pregnancy (AOR=5.82, CI: 2.45, 13.81) were predictors while maternal job status (AOR=0.49, CI: 0.07, 3.51) and paternal job status (AOR=0.16, CI: 0.06, 0.42) were negative predictors of complementary feeding timing. Conclusion: Nearly, three among five mothers (57.8%) initiated complementary feeding timely. Maternal education, age at first pregnancy and maternal and paternal occupational status were the main factors for timely initiation of complementary feeding. Women education, health education dissemination strategies using mass media as a vehicle and through Health Extension workers need to be considered to improve timely initiation of complementary feeding.

Author(s): Desalegn Tsegaw Hibstu, Dawit Jember Tesfaye, Teshome Abuka Abebo, Fanuel Belayneh Bekele

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