Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice Status and Associated Factors among Mothers of under 24-Month-Old Children in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background: Infant and young child feeding is a cornerstone of care for childhood development. In Ethiopia, very large proportions of women do not practice optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding for their children. Composite variables of infant and young child feeding index based on key indicators identified by WHO are not studied in Ethiopia; also there are no studies which document infant and young child feeding practices patterns and associated factors with inappropriate feeding practices in the study area. Objective: To assess infant and young child feeding practice (IYCFP) status and associated factors in Shashemene Woreda, Oromia Region. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from 01/04/2014 to 30/04/2014. A total of 423 mothers who had child less than two years were included in the study using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices. Statistical significance was determined at p value level less than 0.05. Results: Overall, the prevalence of inappropriate infant and young child feeding practice in study area was 67.9%. Being Government [AOR = 9.81 (1.90, 50.65)] and private [AOR = 7.66 (1.40, 41.94)] employee of husband, poorest socio-economic status [AOR = 1.39 (1.30, 6.48)], not attending ANC (AOR = 4.32 (2.27, 8.21)], child age 0 - 5 months [AOR = 16.01 (5.01, 50.03)], negative attitude of mothers [AOR = 2.50 (1.14, 5.47)] and number of children 3 - 4 [AOR = 5.37 (1.67, 7.42)] were independent predictors of inappropriate IYCFP status. Conclusion: Inappropriate infant and young child feeding practice was prevalent in the study area. Interventional initiatives should focus on improving socio-economic status, and access to information, education and communication (IEC); also increasing ANC coverage for further improvement of IYCF is recommended.