Practices of hygiene during complementary food feeding and associated factors among women with children aged 6-24 months in Dedo district, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Poor food handling practices contribute to food contamination, leading to food-borne illnesses and childhood diarrhea in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study examines hygienic complementary food feeding practices and associated characteristics among women with children ages 6-24 months in the Dedo District. Method: A community-oriented cross-sectional study design was used in a multistage sampling strategy to gather information from 501 mothers of children between May 25 and July 10, 2022. There were absolute and relative frequencies assigned to each variable. Multiple logistic models have been used for factors that were 20% significant in univariate analysis. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were produced to identify the important predictors. Results: This study showed that mothers with a diploma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 11.2; CI: 5.51-22.8), urban residency (AOR = 6.35; CI: 3.57-11.3), a positive attitude toward hygienic complementary food feeding (AOR = 2.23; CI: 1.19-4.20), good knowledge of complementary food feeding practices (AOR = 3.95; CI: 2.39-6.55), access to a hand washing facility close to the latrine (AOR = 2.60; CI: 1.55-4.36), and access to water close to their home (AOR = 2.42; CI: 1.27-4.59) were highly associated with good hygiene practices of mothers. Conclusion: This study shows that mothers of children aged between 6 and 24 months have a very low overall prevalence of good hygienic complementary feeding practices. The concerned parties should therefore establish a healthcare educational program for mothers that emphasizes the importance of hand washing and informs them about the dangers of improper complementary feeding practices.

Magnitude and predictors of anemia among preschool children (36-59 months) in Atingo town, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Anemia is a serious public health concern that affects more than 25% of the world's population. It is still widespread and at its most severe in Ethiopia. This study pointed to identify the magnitude and predictors of anemia in preschool children in Atinago. Method: A structured interview and anthropometric metrics had been used in a cross-sectional study to collect data from 309 preschool children using a systematic sampling strategy from May 10 to June 25, 2022. Frequencies, percentages, means, and a bar chart were created as descriptive statistics. Factors that were significant at the 25% level in univariate analysis were run through multiple logistic models. Odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals were developed to determine the relevant predictors. Result: The majority (51.7%) of preschool children in Atinago town had anemia. The finding reveals that poor dietary diversity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-3.07), children from families with food insecurity (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.31-3.9), child-mothers used iron folate for less than 3 months during pregnancy (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.07-3.48), households with more than five children (AOR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.12-3.18), and stunted children (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.05-3.01) were highly susceptible to anemia. Conclusion: The findings indicate that anemia was a serious issue among preschool children in Atinago. Therefore, stakeholders should provide community-based nutrition training on consuming diverse diets, dietary improvements in the home, consuming iron-rich meals, and the like; encourage mothers to participate in early ANC follow-up; and strengthen activities aimed at identifying households with food insecurity status.