Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics (Apr 2021)
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
Abstract
Shimelis Kassa,1 Gudina Egata,2 Tesfaye Gobena,3 Mathewos Mekonnen4 1Shanan Dhuggo District Health Office, West Hararge Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia; 2College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mathewos MekonnenDepartment of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, P.O. Box 245, Fiche, Oromia, EthiopiaTel +251- 917-04-43-69Email [email protected]: 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.Keywords: feeding practice, diarrheal episode, children and Ethiopia
