Complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Context: Complementary feeding practices play an important role in the growth and development of the children.

Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months and its association with various sociodemographic factors.

Settings And Design: The study was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre and Rural Health Training Centre, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

Materials And Methods: Mothers of children aged 6-23 months of age interviewed using the infant and young child feeding questionnaire for complimentary feeding indicators, namely, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). The sample size drawn was 326 using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size.

Statistical Analysis Used: Wald's statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: MDD was adequate in 42.6% children, MMF in 50.9% children, and MAD in 35.6% children. MDD was significantly associated with area of residence, birth order of child, and Standard of living index (SLI); MMF was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, and literacy status of mother; MAD was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, birth order of child, and SLI.

Conclusion: The study revealed that approximately 50% of mothers practiced inadequate complementary feeding. The feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with various sociodemographic factors highlighting the importance of addressing these factors if we aim an improvement in feeding practices.