Complementary Feeding Practices and Influencing Factors Among Children Under 2 Years of Age: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the practice of complementary feeding and its influencing factors in children under 2 years of age in Indonesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data obtained from the 2017 National Socioeconomic Survey. The sample totaled 1,751 households with children under 2 years of age, who received complementary feeding in urban and rural communities. Furthermore, the practice of complementary feeding was evaluated on the basis of the variations in provided food grouped into two categories: complete and incomplete. This study applied bivariate and multivariate analytical methods. Multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of children under 2 years of age who received complementary feeding with complete variant food was 15.9%, while that with incomplete variant food was 84.1%. Furthermore, the factor influencing the practice of complementary feeding among the children was the mother's educational level (odds ratio: 1.481, 95% confidence interval: 0.245-0.943). CONCLUSION: Complete complementary feeding, which involves a variety of food sources, is the best approach to improve the nutritional status of infants. Therefore, the source of food for complementary feeding must be accessible to all communities.