How common is appropriate complementary feeding in SSA?
Among 60,266 mothers of 6–23-month-olds across 19 sub-Saharan African countries, only 13.02% met appropriate complementary feeding criteria.
Source
Complementary feeding practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months in Sub-saharan African countries: a multilevel analysis of the recent demographic and health survey
Study at a glance
- Design
- Cross-sectional — Multilevel logistic models of DHS data from 19 SSA countries (2015–2020)
- N
- N=60266 · Weighted mothers of children aged 6–23 months
- Population
- Mothers of 6–23-month-old children in 19 sub-Saharan African countries
- Outcome
- Prevalence and multilevel correlates of appropriate complementary feeding
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How common is appropriate complementary feeding in SSA?
These passages occur verbatim in the stored paper text. They support the points listed below; they do not verify every statement in the explanation.
Weighted N = 60,266 mothers of children 6–23 months.
A total weighted sample of 60,266 mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months were included in the study.
Appropriate complementary feeding prevalence 13.02%.
The prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months in sub-Saharan African countries was 13.02% (95% CI: 12.75–13.29%).
What they did
Pooled recent DHS surveys (2015–2020) from 19 SSA countries and fit multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression for appropriate complementary feeding among mothers of children aged 6–23 months.
What they found
Prevalence 13.02% (95% CI 12.75–13.29). Higher odds with more maternal education, female household head, media exposure, more ANC visits, facility delivery, current breastfeeding, PNC follow-up, lower community illiteracy, and living in West Africa.
The limits
What it doesn't show
Cross-sectional DHS associations are not causal; ‘appropriate’ feeding definitions and self-report can misclassify practices.
Key terms
- Complementary feeding
- Foods/liquids introduced alongside breastmilk from about 6 months.
- DHS
- Demographic and Health Survey household data platform.
- Multilevel analysis
- Models nesting individuals within communities/countries.
- ANC / PNC
- Antenatal and postnatal care contacts.
- Appropriate CF practice
- Study-defined adequate complementary feeding behaviors.
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Common questions
Sample?
60,266 weighted mother–child pairs.
Prevalence?
13.02% (95% CI 12.75–13.29).
Countries / years?
19 SSA countries; DHS 2015–2020.
Protective factors?
Education, media, ANC, facility birth, breastfeeding, PNC, West Africa.
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