Assessment of infant and young child feeding practices and associated factors among less than two years' children in Leka Dullecha District, East Wollega, Ethiopia

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Abstract
Background and Aim: Leka Dullecha District, situated in East Wollega, Ethiopia, represents a region where infant and young child feeding practices play a crucial role in the health and well‐being of the population. Understanding the prevailing feeding practices among children under 2 years old is essential for devising effective interventions to improve child nutrition and reduce mortality rates. The context of this study involves examining various factors influencing infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, including socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants. The main aim of the study was conducted to investigate the infant and young child feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children 0–23 months in Leka Dullecha District, East Wollega, and Ethiopia.Method: A community‐based, cross‐sectional study design was carried out using 590 sample sizes. A stratified sampling method was used with simple random sampling technique. Bi‐variable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices.Results: The overall prevalence of appropriate infant and young child feeding practice was estimated to 62.3%. According to this finding, age of child, place of delivery, and knowledge of mother were positively associated factors for inappropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices.Conclusion: The overall infant and young child feeding practices in this study is not meeting the WHO guidelines for appropriate feeding practices. To achieve better feeding practices among 0–23 months aged children, intervention should focus on encouraging institution delivery and capacitating all health workers providing health education focusing on infant and young child feeding practices.

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