Determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practice among mothers having children 6–23 months of age in rural Damot sore district, Southern Ethiopia; a community based cross sectional study

Abstract Background Inappropriate complementary feeding is a major contributor of child malnutrition. Previous studies have described complementary feeding practice using a single indicator but combinations of indicators were needed to better explain the role of complementary feeding practices in child growth and survival. So this study aimed to assess the determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practice among mothers of children 6–23 months in rural Damot sore Woreda, Southern Ethiopia by using a combination of indicators. Methods Community based cross sectional survey was carried out in August 2015. The study population comprised of 546 mothers and their children selected using two stage cluster sampling procedure. Data were entered using Epi-data software version 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Binary and multivariable Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice and statistical significance was determined at the p-value of 0.05. Results The response rate was 93.8%. The study showed that level of appropriate complementary feeding practice was 11.4%, 95% CI (8.8, 14.3). Antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: (1.1, 9.5) and birth order (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: (1.1, 5.1) were found to have a significant association with appropriate complementary feeding practice. Conclusion The study showed only one in eleven mothers practiced appropriate complementary feeding practice for their children aged 6–23 months. Mothers especially during first and second birth order need attention. Moreover, antenatal care follow up should be strengthened and nutrition specific issues should be addressed