Maternal Factors Associated with Dietary Diversity Scores of Children aged 6-23 Months in Kwale County, Kenya

• Published in: The East African health research journal 2023-11, Vol.7 (2), p.158
• Main Authors: Chepkirui, Francesca, Osero, Justus, Nyandieka, Lilian, Hitachi, Mami, Kaneko, Satoshi, Wekesa, Norah, Changoma, Juma, Wanjihia, Violet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2520-5277; 2520-5285; 2520-5285
• DOI: 10.24248/eahrj.v7i2.727

Dietary Diversity (DD) is an important component of Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN). Globally, it is recommended that children aged 6-23 months be fed on diverse diets as a public health measure in curbing malnutrition. In Kenya, stunting rates among children below the age of five years is 26% and diversifying of diets is still sub-optimal. The study sought to assess maternal factors associated with dietary diversity scores among children aged 6-23 months in Kwale County, where stunting stands at 29%.BackgroundDietary Diversity (DD) is an important component of Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN). Globally, it is recommended that children aged 6-23 months be fed on diverse diets as a public health measure in curbing malnutrition. In Kenya, stunting rates among children below the age of five years is 26% and diversifying of diets is still sub-optimal. The study sought to assess maternal factors associated with dietary diversity scores among children aged 6-23 months in Kwale County, where stunting stands at 29%.A cross sectional study design was adopted and a random sample of 244 mothers with children aged 6-23 months, residing in locations under Health and Demographic System Surveillance (HDSS) program participated in the study.MethodsA cross sectional study design was adopted and a random sample of 244 mothers with children aged 6-23 months, residing in locations under Health and Demographic System Surveillance (HDSS) program participated in the study.Mothers aged 17-68 years were interviewed. Children's DD scores ranged from 0 to 5 with a mean of 2.2±0.9, only 8.2% of the children met the Minimum Dietary Diversity score (MDDs) of 4 food groups or more in a day. A bivariate regression analysis to determine factors associated with children's dietary diversity scores showed significant positive relationship with mother's educational level (r=0.186, P