AUTHOR=Raru Temam Beshir , Merga Bedasa Taye , Mulatu Gutema , Deressa Alemayehu , Birhanu Abdi , Negash Belay , Gamachu Mulugeta , Regassa Lemma Demissie , Ayana Galana Mamo , Roba Kedir Teji 

TITLE=Minimum Dietary Diversity Among Children Aged 6–59 Months in East Africa Countries: A Multilevel Analysis

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=68

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605807

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605807

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To find out the determinants of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among under-five children in East Africa based on the 2017 revised indicator.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Secondary data from the demographic and health survey (DHS) of eight countries in East Africa were combined. A total of 27,223 weighted samples of children aged 6–59 months were included. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the determinants of dietary diversity.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The magnitude of adequate MDD in East Africa was found to be 10.47% with 95% CI (10.12–10.84) with the lowest and highest magnitude in Ethiopia and Rwanda respectively. Having a mother in the age group of 35–49, having a mother with higher educational attainment, and having a post-natal check-up within 2 months were significant factors in determining adequate MDD.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The magnitude of adequate MDD intake among children aged 6–59 months in East Africa is relatively low. Therefore, strengthening interventions focused on improving the economic status of households, the educational status of mothers, and diversified food consumption of children aged 6–59 months should get priority to improve the recommended feeding practice of children.</p>