Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices Among Caregivers and Their Children Aged 6-23 Months in Kisoro District, Uganda

Abstract Background: There is a wide number of risk factors for stunting and one that is most often corroborated by studies is complementary feeding practices. There was a need to ascertain the prevalence of and factors that lend to caregivers meeting requirements for the optimal complementary feeding practices in Kisoro district, a district with high stunting rates. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study that used secondary data obtained from the USAID/Uganda’s Integrated Community, Agriculture, and Nutrition (ICAN) Activity. Multi-stage sampling on the data was done to select entries for 384 caregivers of children aged 6-23 months in Kisoro district. The data was first proffered in Excel sheets and analysed using SPSS version 20. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to determine independent factors, at the 3 levels of the SEM, associated with optimal complementary feeding practices.Findings: The prevalence of introduction to solid, semi-solid or soft foods was the highest at 95.06%, and the prevalence for Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) was very low at 4.43%.At the settings level, type of occupation (AOR = 21.206; CI = 2.032 - 221.256; p=0.011) and community groups (AOR = 0. 426; CI = 0.219 - 0.828; p=0.012) were found to be statistically significant for association with minimum meal frequency. At the interpersonal level, household size (number of household members) (AOR = 0.346; CI = 0.128 - 0.936; p=0.037) was statistically significant for association with minimum dietary diversity amd minimum acceptable diet. Also, marital status was found to be statistically significant for association with continued breastfeeding (AOR = 13.245; CI = 1.763 - 100.248; p=0.012). At the intrapersonal level, age was associated with timely introduction of complementary foods (AOR = 1.731; CI = 1.040 - 2.883; p=0.035). While age was associated with minimum meal frequency (AOR = 2.208; CI = 1.097 - 4.445; p=0.026).Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the prevalence of MAD and MDD was very low in Kisoro district putting these children at a very high risk to become stunted.