Prevalence and Factors associated with complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Ataye town, Central Ethiopia

Background The impact of malnutrition in the first two years of child age on child mortality and morbidity can be prevented through adequate child nutrition practice. Appropriate complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia is very low and the EDHS report shows small changes over time. Therefore, this study aimed to assess complementary feeding practice among 6–23 months of age children in Ataye town, Central Ethiopia Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 216 mothers selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview by trained nurses. EpiData 3.4 and SPSS version 21 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Results More than half (55.2%) mothers had appropriate complementary feeding practice. Bottle feeding and Postnatal care were significant predictors of appropriate complementary feeding practice. Appropriate complementary feeding practice was two-fold higher [AOR 2.053 95%CI (1.051–4.011)] and 3.4 times higher [AOR 3.434, 95%CI (1.021, 11.552)] among non-bottle feeding and PNC attendant respectively. Conclusions There is relatively a higher appropriate complementary feeding practice in Ataye town. Non-bottle feeding and PNC attendance increase appropriate complementary feeding practice. Therefore it is important to encourage postnatal care service utilization by mothers and nutritional advice should emphasis avoiding bottle feeding practice.