Feeding Practice During a Diarrheal Episode and Associated Factors Among Mothers/Caregivers with 6-59-Month-Old Children Visiting Health Centers in Shanan Dhuggo District, West Hararge Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Continued feeding and increasing fluids is the cornerstone treatment package for a child with acute diarrhea. However, there is a deficiency of evidence on child feeding practice during a diarrheal episode globally and particularly in low-income countries. This study aimed at assessing feeding practice during diarrheal episodes and associated factors among mothers/caregivers with 6-59-month-old children visiting health centers in Shanan Dhuggo district, West Hararge zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.

Methodology: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 25, 2019 on 422 mothers/caregivers of children 6-59 months of age with diarrhea. Data collection was conducted using a pretested tool. Epi Data version 3.1 was utilized for data entry and it was transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, and a relationship between outcome variables and independent variables were examined using logistic regression models.

Results: The overall magnitude of appropriate feeding practice during a diarrheal episode was 40.8%. Child's sex being male [AOR = 2.65 95% CI: (1.34, 5.22)], child's age <24 months [AOR = 13.5, 95% CI: (5.98, 30.45), postnatal care visit [AOR = 4.12, 95% CI: (1.78, 9.52)], having only one under-5 child [AOR = 5.65, 95% CI: (2.78, 11.48)], information on child feeding from health workers [AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: (1.05, 21.66)], and good knowledge on child feeding [AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: (1.52, 5.77 were independent predictors of appropriate feeding practice during a diarrheal episode.

Conclusion: In the current study, the prevalence of appropriate feeding practice during a diarrheal episode was moderate. However, health education intervention aiming at factors influencing child feeding practices is indispensable to further improve feeding practice during a diarrheal episode.