Title : Optimal complementary feeding practices and associated factors among children 6–23 months old in Konso Zone, South Ethiopia

Introduction: Despite the critical importance of complementary feeding, large proportions of children in developing countries are sub-optimally fed during 6–23 months of age. In Ethiopia, even though the government has been rolling out infant and young child feeding (IYCF) guidelines, the proportion of mothers adhering to the recommended optimal practices and its associated factors have not been assessed in Konso Zone Southern Ethiopia. Hence, the present study aimed to determine optimal complementary feeding practices, barriers and associated factors in Konso Zone, South Ethiopia.

Method: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Konso Zone in South Ethiopia among 337 randomly selected mothers having children 6 to 23 months of age from May 10 to June 30 /2024. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was collected using Kobo tool box and exported to SPPS Version 25 for analysis. Multivariable binary Logistic regression was used to predict the role of independent variables on optimal complementary feeding. Findings with a p- value <0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant in the final model.

Result: The overall proportion of mothers with optimal complementary feeding practice was 14.8%. The timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet was 63.20% 92.60%, 20.50%. Age of mothers, exchange of food items from market and access to fruit and vegetables were significantly associated with optimal complementary feeding practices.

Conclusion: The findings showed that OCFP was low in study setting. Nutrition education and counseling should be provided to mothers focusing on promoting not only timely initiation of complementary feeding but adequate in diversity, appropriate frequency and consistency using variety of foods combination to accommodate the nutritional needs of the growing child while continuing breastfeeding.