Complementary Feeding Practice by Maternal Employment Status in Eastern Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Appropriate complementary feeding practice during the first two years of age prevents life cycle health problems that cannot be averted later in life. Appropriate complementary feeding practices are associated with various factors and the practice may vary between populations. This study aimed to investigate the complementary feeding practice among mothers with children aged 6-23 months by maternal employment status in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Gemachis district from 10 July to August 2020, eastern Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample a total of 674 mothers. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and analyzed using STATA version 14.2. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice with 95 % CI or a P-value of less than 0.05.Results: Over all only 9.9% of all mothers were practicing appropriate complementary feeding, with 5.9% among employed and 11.9% unemployed mothers. After controlling for confounders, traveling to the workplace less than two hours (AOR= 5.9; 95% CI: 1.30, 16.14), giving birth at home (AOR= 0.08; 95% CI:0.01, 0.72, and having at least one ANC visit (AOR=6.5; 95% CI: 1.40, 25.7) were significantly associated with appropriate Complementary feeding practice among employed mothers while having children aged 9−23 months (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3, 8.5), spending 17−24 hours on child care (AOR = 4.8; 95% CI: 1.6, 14.12], working 1-8 hours per day (AOR =0.17; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.63], and having at least one ANC visit (AOR = 7.6; 95% CI: 3.6, 14.01] were significantly associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice among unemployed mothers. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practice was very low in this study area. There is a need to strengthen maternal health service utilization such as ANC and institutional delivery to improve complementary feeding practices. Further, considering adequate maternity leave and designing a subsidized alternative child care center is essential to improve the complementary feeding practice for employed mothers.