Abstract:
Background: Dietary diversity is among the core Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF)
indicators.Nevertheless, in Ethiopia information regarding the level and factors associated with
dietary diversity are scarce.
Objective: To assess level and factors associated with dietary diversity among children aged 6-23 months in Aroressa Woreda, Sidama Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia.
Method: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 26 to May 20,
2016 among 417 children aged 6-23 months in Aroressa woreda. The children were selected
using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected by trained personnel using structured
questionnaire. Dietary diversity was measured using the Food and Nutrition Technical
Assistance (FANTA) scale. The data were coded, cleaned, entered using EPI-Info 7.2 software
and analyzed using SPSS version 20.Factors associated with dietary diversity were identified
using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: Only 10.6% of the children aged 6-23 months had the acceptable dietary diversity (≥ 4
food groups).Among the children having literate fathers, the dietary diversity was increased by
3.06 as compared to their counterparts 3.06 (95%CI: 1.55-6.07).Whereas, among the children
having the households who grow vegetables and own livestock, the dietary diversity was
increased by 1.64 and 0.53 as compared to their counterparts by 1.64 (95%CI: 1.31-1.84) and
0.53(95%CI: 0.20-0.73), respectively. As the age of the child increased by a month, the dietary
diversity was also increased by 2.46(95%CI: 1.67-4.41). Among the children having the mothers
who visited health facility for PNC and received IYCF information, the dietary diversity was
increased by 29 as compared to their counterparts by 29(95%CI: 1.18-3.53). Other factors that
were positively associated with dietary diversity were mothers participated in food
demonstration, women’s heard IYCF information through mass media and husband involvement
in IYCF.
Conclusion: Majority (89.4%) of children had low dietary diversity; indicating most of them
were not consuming a diversified diet needed for adequate growth and development.
