Spatial variations and determinants of iron containing foods consumption among 6-23 months old children in Ethiopia: spatial, and multilevel analysis.

Consuming foods high in iron benefits metabolic processes as well as the development of the neonatal and fetal brain. Despite the significance of eating foods high in iron for public health, Ethiopian practices are still limited when compared to the World Health Organization's (WHO) assessment of its consumption of such foods. This study used the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) to evaluate the consumption of iron-rich foods, regional clustering, and related characteristics among children aged 6-23 months. The information was taken from the typical EDHS 2019 dataset, which included a weighted sample of 1572 young children aged 6-23 months old in total. Utilizing Kuldorff's SaTScan version 9.6 software, spatial scan statistics were produced. Software from ArcGIS 10.8 was used to display the regional distribution of inadequate consumption of foods high in iron. Utilizing multilevel or mixed effects logistic regression analysis, the associated determinants for a healthy diet rich in foods containing iron were found. In the final model, a P-value of < 0.05 was announced as a statistical significance variable. Overall, in Ethiopia, children aged 6-23 months consumed iron-rich foods at a rate of 27.14% (95% CI 24.99-29.39). Poor intake of foods heavy in iron is concentrated in Ethiopia's regional states of Afar, a sizable portion of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali, Gambela, and SNNPS. Primary and secondary education (AOR = 1.73, CI 95%: 1.23, 2.41), and (AOR = 1.97,CI 95%: 1.25, 3.10), having ≥ 2 under five children, and current status of breastfeeding (AOR = 0.62 (CI 95%: 0.45, 0.84), and (AOR = 0.32, CI 95%: 0.23, 0.44), giving birth at health facilities (AOR = 1.51, CI 95%: 1.06, 2.13),being from Afar and Somali regions (AOR = 0.39, 95%: 0.17, 0.93), and (AOR = 0.26, CI 95%: 0.10, 0.69) have shown statistically significant association with the outcome variable respectively. In Ethiopia, providing high-iron meals and supplements to under-2-year-old children represents minimal, but persistent, public health expenses. Based on the identified determinants, the Ethiopian federal ministry of health and other stakeholders should pay special attention to the locations designated as hot spots for maternal and child health service enhancement to promote the consumption of iron-rich meals among children aged 6-23 months.

Minimum meal frequency practice and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months old in The Gambia: a multilevel mixed effect analysis.

A proxy measure for a child's energy needs, minimum meal frequency (MMF) looks at how often children were fed things other than breast milk. Infants and young children who do not consume enough food frequently are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality as well as stunting and micronutrient deficiencies. There is no MMF recommended by studies in The Gambia. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the practice of MMF and the factors that influence it in children aged 6-23 months in The Gambia. Data from The Gambian Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS-2019/20) were used to identify factors affecting the MMF at individual and community levels. A multi-level regression model and weighted samples of 2100 children were employed for the investigation. After being examined by a p-value of < 0.25 in the binary regression, factors with a p-value of < 0.05 were judged statistically significant. This study found that about 57.95% had provided MMF. Primary and secondary educated mothers (aOR = 1.44, CI 1.11, 1.87), and (aOR = 1.43, CI 1.09, 1.86), wealthiest (aOR = 1.76, CI 1.04, 2.99), 35-49 years old mothers (aOR = 1.35, CI 1.01, 1.79), female household head (aOR = 0.72, CI 0.53, 0.98), breastfeeding status(aOR = 0.10, CI 0.07, 0.15), currently working (aOR = 1.27, CI 1.04, 1.56), 12-17 months child (aOR = 1.40, CI 1.13, 1.73), 18-23 months child (aOR = 1.44, CI 1.08, 1.91) have shown association with MMF. Regarding regions Mansakonko, Kerewan, Kuntaur, and Janjanbureh local government areas have shown (aOR = 3.51, CI 1.77, 6.97), (aOR = 5.17, CI 2.67, 9.99), (aOR = 2.26, CI 1.14, 4.47), and (aOR = 2.35, CI 1.19, 4.64) as compared to Banjul local government area. Comparing MMF in The Gambia to WHO standards, it must be considered low. Encouragement of women and coordinated enhancement of the current nutritional intervention are therefore effective in boosting children's consumption of a variety of foods.