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

ABSTRACT

Background: 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%. Methods: 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. Results: 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<.000, α=.01), household wealth index (r=0.163, P<.000, α=.01) and the child's age (r=0.396, P<.004, α=.01). Conclusion: The study concludes that mothers' level of education, households' wealth index and child's age are factors associated with dietary diversity scores of children. Higher dietary diverse scores were observed among older children in the study age categories, from wealthy families and under care of mothers with higher education levels. In the study area however, only 8.2% of children met the minimum dietary diversity score necessitating targeted nutrition education of mothers and implementation of economic development initiatives to boost availability and consumption of diverse diets. A consideration of child age specific interventions will also address nutritional needs and preferences at different stages.