Correlates of the Timely Initiation of Complementary Feeding among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Rupandehi District, Nepal

Abstract

Although the predictors of the timely initiation of complementary feeding are well-known elsewhere, there is less awareness of the topic in Nepal. The current study was undertaken to identify the correlates of timely initiation of complementary feeding among children aged 6–23 months. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Rupandehi district, Nepal. A total of 155 mother-child pairs were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders was employed to examine the independent association between risk factors and the timely initiation of complementary feeding. Fewer than 3 in 5 children aged 6–23 months received complementary feeding at the recommended time. Literate mothers and a maternal occupation in the service or business sectors were found to be associated with complementary feeding at 6 months. In addition, child characteristics such as birth order, male children, and those fed micronutrients were also more likely to have been received complementary feeding at 6 months than their counterparts. Maternal education and occupation, and child characteristics such as, birth order, male gender, and micronutrient consumption, which are correlates of the timely initiation of complementary feeding, suggest that the Nepalese Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programme should target these predictors while designing preventive strategies.

Magnitude and determinants of breastfeeding initiation within one hour among reproductive women in Sub-Saharan Africa; evidence from demographic and health survey data: a multilevel study

“…In this study we found that maternal education significantly correlated with early initiation of breastfeeding in line with other studies [ 10 , 36 , 41 – 43 ]. Hence educated women have the ability to understand the benefits of early initiation of breastfeeding and provision of colostrum to their newborns provided by health care workers as well as have better accessibility to attend ANC and have better media exposure.…”

“…The practice of EIBF enables further provision of immunoglobulin and other vital bioactive molecule-rich colostrum for newborns that are critical for their immunity, growth and development [ 4 , 9 ]. In addition, EIBF practice encourages bonding between child and mother resulting in legitimate outcome for infant and child development [ 10 – 12 ]. Further, EIBF practice has an implication for both short and long-term benefit for mothers in the case of reducing postpartum haemorrhage, lower risk of obesity in post-delivery, advance in birth spacing period, as well as reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the long run [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Infant and young child feeding practices and its associated factors among mothers of under two years children in a western hilly region of Nepal

“…Male children were more likely to have had timely initiation of complementary feeding. A similar finding was reported from a study conducted in other parts of Nepal [ 44 ] which reflects the long-standing traditional gender norm that discriminates against timely feeding of a female child [ 45 ].…”

Maternal Factors and the Utilization of Maternal Care Services Associated with Infant Feeding Practices among Mothers in Rural Southern Nepal

“…Studies conducted in China and Sweden found no association between the two [69,70], whereas others [71,72] reported primiparous mothers were more likely to adopt EBF, which highlights the importance of educating multiparous women. Furthermore, as has been reported previously [51,73], we found CF feeding at six months was more common for male babies, which may reflect the long-standing traditional gender norm that discriminates against female child feeding [51].…”