Determinants of inappropriate complementary feeding among children 6–23 months of age in Dessie City Northeast Ethiopia: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate complementary feeding is one of the leading causes of malnutrition among children 6–23 months old and delays children’s growth milestone. The determinants of inappropriate complementary feeding practice have diverse natures, so that many of the previous studies fail to generate adequate evidence on it. This study aim to address the determinants of in appropriate complementary feedings at community level. METHODS: A community-based unmatched case-control study design was carried out among children 6–23 months of age in Dessie City from April 13, 2021 to May 13, 2021. Nine kebeles were selected by simple random sampling method. One month prior to the data collection time survey was conducted and 482 samples were taken from the preliminary survey data; 241 cases and 241 controls by computer generated random numbers. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to investigate potential determinants of inappropriate complementary feeding practice. Binary logistics regression was used to identify independent determinants. RESULTS: Part working situation of mother [AOR = 0.21 CI: 0.08, 0.52] was negatively associated with inappropriate complementary feeding. Having no post-natal care visit [AOR = 4.062 CI:2.35,7.02], poor wealth status [AOR = 2.7 CI:1.09,6.68], food in-security [AOR = 4.49 CI:1.94,10.37], home delivery [AOR = 4.33 CI:1.43,13.15], having poor knowledge on infant and young child feeding [AOR = 5.94 CI:2.8,12.6], having no health education on complementary feeding [AOR = 2.54 CI:1.28,5.06] and father’s job [AOR = 2.2 CI:1.17,4.1] were found to be positively associated with inappropriate complementary feeding. CONCLUSION: Mothers’ work situation, fathers’ job, wealth index, food security, mothers’ knowledge on infant feeding, post-natal care, health education on infant feeding and place of delivery were independent determinants for inappropriate complementary feeding. Thus, interventions shall effectively address those factors to alleviate the problem.