Background : Appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is critical for child growth and development during the first two years of life. Inappropriate feeding practices contribute significantly to under-two mortality globally and in Ethiopia, yet current compliance data remain limited. This study aimed to assess IYCF practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months attending Kombolcha Hospital in. Methods : A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1-30, 2024, among 388 randomly selected mother-child pairs. Data on socio-demographic, health service, and behavioral factors were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi-Data 4.6 and SPSS 26. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with IYCF practices at p-value < 0.05. Results : Overall, 69.3% (95% CI: 64.6%-73.0%) of mothers practiced appropriate IYCF. Early initiation of breastfeeding occurred in 72.4% of infants, and 70.4% started complementary feeding at six months. Minimum meal frequency was met by 81.0%, but only 21.9% met minimum dietary diversity. Primary maternal education (AOR = 8.47, 95% CI: 3.64-19.69), non-governmental or merchant husband occupation [AOR = 13.89, 95% CI: 4.00-142.78 and (AOR = 16.47, 95% CI: 1.87-145.51), good knowledge (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.84), and favorable attitude (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23-0.94) significantly predicted appropriate IYCF practices. Conclusion : Overall IYCF practice in the study area was relatively high compared to previous studies, though dietary diversity remains low. Maternal education, paternal occupation, maternal knowledge, and attitude were key predictors. Targeted maternal education on balanced complementary feeding is essential.
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Bahru et al. (2026) studied this question.