Minimum Dietary Diversity Practice and Associated Factors among Children Aged 6 to 23 Months in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Malnutrition because of poor dietary diversity contributing to child morbidity and mortality. Two-thirds of child mortality occurs within the first 2 years. However, there is limited data related to dietary diversity among children aged 6 to 23 months in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess dietary diversity and factors among children aged 6 to 23 months in the study setting. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted on 438 children aged 6 to 23 months in Dire Dawa, 1-30/02/2019. Simple random sampling was used to select study subjects. Data collected using a structured and pretested interview administered questionnaire. Data entered using EpiData 4.2 and analyzed with SPSS Version 22. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associated factors. Adjusted odd-ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) used, and P-value <.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The overall minimum dietary diversity practice was 24.4% (95% CI: 20.3, 28.5). Maternal education [AOR 2.20; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.52], decision-making [AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.19, 5.29], antenatal care [AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.99], postnatal care [AOR = 6.4; 95% CI: 2.78, 14.94] and facility delivery [AOR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.35, 5.25] were maternal factors. Moreover, child’s age [AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.83], and child’s sex [AOR = 2.85; 95% CI: 1.64, 4.94] were infant factors. Conclusion: One-fourth of children practiced minimum dietary diversity. Child’s age, birth interval, postnatal care, antenatal care, child’s sex, mothers’ decision-making, mothers’ education, and place of delivery were significant predictors. Therefore, maternal education, empowering women, and improve maternal service utilization are crucial to improving dietary diversity.