Factors Associated With Minimum Acceptable Diet among Children Aged 6 to 23 Months in Rwanda

Abstract

Background
Globally, one in two children aged 6 to 23 months fails to meet recommended dietary practices, with 70% fail to meet dietary diversity or meal frequency. This study assessed factors associated with the minimum acceptable diet (MAD) among children aged 6 to 23 months in Rwanda.
Methods
This cross–sectional study utilized secondary data from the 2019–2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS), analyzing 1,203 children. Weighted data were analyzed using STATA version 17, employing bivariate and multivariable logistic regression at a 5% significance level.
Results
The prevalence of MAD was 23.9%. Among breastfed children aged 6–8 months, 27.09% achieved the minimum meal frequency (MMF), while only 11.9% of children aged 9–23 months met the MMF. Significant factors associated with MAD included residence in the Eastern Province (AOR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.02–2.27), access to nutrition–related information (AOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.03–2.41), and household wealth, with the richest households showing the highest odds (AOR: 5.93; 95% CI: 3.08–11.42). Delivery in health facilities also increased odds (AOR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.20–9.77).
Conclusion
The low prevalence of MAD highlights the need for promoting dietary diversity and meal frequency, support low–income households to improve child feeding practices.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2024;7(3):445-453