Initiation of complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers having children 6-23 months of age, in Meket Woreda, North Wollo Ethiopia, 2020: a multicenter community-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: improving the infant and young child feeding practices in children aged 0-23 months is critical. It is necessary to improved infant and young child health, nutrition, and development. Over the years, infants and young child feeding policy implementation focused mainly on the promotion of breastfeeding practices while complementary feeding practices. Infant and under-five mortality rates in Ethiopia are 43/1,000 and 55/1,000 live births, respectively. There was limited updated evidence regarding the initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors in the 6-23 months life of children in the study area. The iobjective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Initiation of complementary feeding practice and its associated factors among mothers with children aged 6-23 months in Meket Woreda 2020. Methods: the community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 mother-infant pairs of 6-23 months in Meket Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia from March 20-June 30, 2020. One stage cluster sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pre-tested interviewer-based questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered in Epi info version 7 and were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. A bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with complementary feeding practice. The odds' ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. P-value is less than or equal to 0.05 considered significant. Results: over all response rate was 100%. Among 416 mothers with children aged 6-23 months, 76.4% mothers started giving complementary feeding timely at recommended age of 6 month of child age. Advised about complementary feeding CF during ANC follow up [AOR=0.03; 95%CI: 0.003-0.356], child delivered in place at a health facility [AOR=0.07; 95%CI: 0.0-0.619], mothers take family planning [AOR=0.049; 95%CI: 0.011-0.23], give additional diet the first first 6 months [AOR = 0.035; 95% CI: 0.009-0.137] and breast feeding BF makes appearance [AOR = 0.064; 95% CI: 0.003-0.687] were found to be independent predictors of complementary feeding practice. Conclusion: about 23.6% of mothers were not initiated complementary feeding practice in their children at the recommended age of 6 months. This would have negative implications on the health of infants and young children. There was a statistically significant association of initiation of complementary feeding practices with mothers´ advice about CF during ANC follow up, child delivered place at a health facility, take family planning, give additional diet the first 6 months, and mothers´ think BF makes an appearance. Health professionals should focus on advising and counseling mothers on appropriate complementary feeding during prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and immunization services.