Complementary feeding practices and associated factors among infants and young children aged 6-23 months in fort portal municipality Kabarole district.

Abstract

Background:Evidence has shown that promotion of appropriate complementary feeding practices reduces the incidence of stunting and leads to better growth outcome, Inappropriate complementary feeding leads to nutrient inadequacy. Over the years infants and young child feeding policy implementaion focussed mainly on promotion of breast feeding practices while complementary feeding practices were neglected. Appropriate complementary feeding among infants and young children 6-23 months has been assesed for 21 countries, however there is missing data on subpopulation data on complemnetary feeding with in each country. Rural settings that have high prevalences of stunting need their complementary feeding practices assessed. This study there fore aims to determine the factors associated with complementary feeding practices of children 6-23months in Fortportal Kabarole District. Objective :The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practices and associated factors among infants and young children 623 months in fort portal Municipality. Methods:A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 mothers/caretakers of infants and young children 6-23months using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Probability proportionate to population size sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. A pretested standard WHO questionnaire for assessing infant and young child feeding indicators was adopted for assessing complementary feeding indicators. Appropriate complementary feeding was assessed using a composite index. Prevalence ratios and there 95% confidence intervals were generated. Modified poisson regression model was used to generate factors associated with appropriate complementary feeding. For qualitative data, Focus Group Discussions were employed to capture participants’ perceptions on complementary feeding practices. Results: The prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding was found at 21.4%. Results showed that cohabiting (PR: 2.15; CI:1.10 – 4.18), having a formal employment (PR:7.05: CI:1.69-29.36) and having no child illness (PR: 1.85; CI:0.88 – 4.35) were associated with appropriate complementary feeding. Qualitative results showed inadequate information on appropriate complementary feeding and low income as major challenges faced by Mothers / Care takers. Conclusion: Low appropriate complementary feeding practices of infants and young children 6-23 months was observed. Interventions to address complementary feeding practices such as health access, and community based income generating enterprises to enable access to resources for acquiring food for infants and young children 6-23months.