Determinants of minimum dietary diversity of lactating mothers in rural northern region of Bangladesh: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Breastfeeding requires additional diversified foods for the nutritional requirements of mothers and children, especially in preventing micronutrient deficiencies. The minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) is a proxy indicator of micronutrient adequacy for women.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the determinants associated with MDD in lactating women.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among lactating mothers having at least one live birth in last three years from two districts of Bangladesh between 31 May 2021 and 9 June 2021. Dietary and socio-demographic information was obtained using a single 24-h recall and socio-economic status questionnaires. MDD was defined as at least four food groups consumed in the last 24 hours. In binary logistic regression, adjusted models were used to assess the relationship between MDD and socio-economic factors.

Results: The mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 3.9 ± 1.2. The MDD was met by 29.7% of women. Respondent's ages 20-24 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9], 25-34 years [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8], and 35-49 years [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9], husband's academic qualifications more than 12 years [AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0-3.7], family income more than 15000 BDT per month [AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2-4.3], and husband's profession as a day labor [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7] were significant factors to have MDD.

Conclusions: DDS and MDD were very poor among the mothers, whereas women's age, husband's education, and the family's monthly income were independent determinants of MDD. Special interventions may be needed to improve MDD.