Abstract

Introduction: Appropriate nutrient intake and/or complementary feeding in quantity, bioavailability and timely in infancy period are essential for optimal growth and development. Initiation of safe and nutritionally adequate complementary foods at 6 month is crucial to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Exclusive breastfeeding) for the first six months of life is critical for the wellbeing of the infant. This study aim was to assess the prevalence of timely initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors among infants 6 to 12 months age in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from 30th February to 20th March 2015 on 400 randomly selected mothers with infants aged from six months to one year in five randomly selected health centers in Addis Ababa. Data on demographic and other risk factors of timely initiating of complementary feeding were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry, cleaning and analysis was done by using Epidata 3.1 and SPSS version 20. Logistic regressions employed to assess the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Results: It was found that the prevalence of timely initiation of complementary feeding at sixth month was 55.2%. Occupation of mother, having Antenatal care follow-up, believed time of initiation of complementary feeding and place of delivery were found to be independent predictors of timely initiation of complementary feeding. Conclusions: Around half of mothers initiated timely complementary feeding. The determinates of were Occupation of mother, having Antenatal care follow up, believed time of initiation of complementary feeding and place of delivery in which all of them are modifiable factors. Therefore, mothers should be encouraged to have Antenatal care follow up and deliver at health institution government needs to set new strategies to improve infant child feeding practices for mothers who are illiterate and work outside at home.

Keywords: Complementary feeding; Timely; Initiation