title: Determinants of suboptimal complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in seven francophone West African countries.
abstract: Suboptimal complementary feeding practices play a crucial role in the health and development of children. The objective of this research paper was to identify factors associated with suboptimal complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in seven francophone West African countries, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal. This study covered 22 376 children aged 6-23 months from the seven countries surveyed (Benin: 3732 children; Burkina Faso: 4205 children; Cote d'Ivoire: 2109 children, Guinea: 1944 children, Mali: 3798 children, Niger: 3451 children and Senegal: 3137 children). The most recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets of the various countries were used as data sources. A set of individual-, household- and community-level factors were used to examine the four complementary feeding indicators. Multivariate analysis revealed that the youngest age bracket (6-11 months) of children, administrative/geographical region, mother's limited or non-access to the mass media, mothers' lack of contact with a health facility, rural residence, poor households and non-working mothers were the main factors associated with suboptimal complementary feeding in the countries surveyed. Our findings highlight the need to consider broader social, cultural and economic factors when designing child nutritional interventions.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Abukari I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Issaka
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kingsley E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Agho
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Penelope L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Garry J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dibley
mesh_terms: D000354:Africa, Western; D001541:Benin; D002050:Burkina Faso; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D016701:Guinea; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008302:Mali; D008402:Mass Media; D009548:Niger; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D012675:Senegal; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: West Africa; acceptable diet; child nutrition; dietary diversity; francophone; meal frequency