title: Dietary diversity, meal frequency and associated factors among infant and young children in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross- sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inappropriate feeding practice increases risk of under nutrition, illness, and mortality amongst children less than 2 years of age. The objective of this study is to assess minimum dietary diversity, meal frequency and its associated factors among infant and young children aged 6-23 months in Dangila Town, Northwest Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based cross sectional study was conducted. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire were used. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses was employed to identify factors associated with minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 920 children 6-23 months were included. Proportion of children who met the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency was 12.6 and 50.4 %, respectively. Mothers education [AOR =2.52], age of a child [AOR = 2.05], birth order of index child [AOR = 2.08], living in urban area [AOR = 2.09], having home gardening [AOR = 2.03], and media exposure [AOR = 2.74] were positively associated with dietary diversity. Moreover, age of the child [AOR = 3.03], birth order of index child [AOR = 1.58], mothers involvement in decision making [AOR = 1.51], media exposure [AOR = 2.62], and having postnatal visit [AOR = 2.30] were positively associated with meal frequency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of children who received minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency was low. Being at younger age, first birth order, and lack of media exposure affect both dietary diversity and meal frequency. Increasing mother's education, home gardening, mass media promotion and empowering women in decision making are highly recommended to increase dietary diversity and meal frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O. Box 260, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia. melkieb12@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Melkamu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beyene
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. abebawgebeyehu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abebaw Gebeyehu
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Worku
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. molmesele@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Molla Mesele
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wassie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001722:Birth Order; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet; D005002:Ethiopia; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000068104:Infant Health; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D062407:Meals; D009035:Mothers; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors