Minimum dietary diversity and its associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Senegal: Evidence from the demographic and health survey, 2023.

BACKGROUND

Children between the ages of 6 and 23 months should be provided a variety of foods to ensure that their nutrient needs are satisfied, according to World Health Organization guidelines for feeding children. In Senegal, lower dietary diversity and an inability to meet nutrient requirements raise the risk of anemia and other disorders caused by a lack of funds and resources, which are essential for consuming a nutrient-rich diet. The objective of this study was to assess minimum dietary diversity and its associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Senegal using the most recent demographic and health survey data (2023).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Senegal using data from the most recent continuous demographic and health survey, 2023. A total of 2,995 children aged 6-23 months were included in the study. Using STATA Version 14 software, the data were extracted, cleaned, and analyzed. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with meeting minimum dietary diversity. Finally, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were declared statistically significant.

RESULTS

In the present study, the proportion of children aged 6-23 months who meet minimum dietary diversity in Senegal was 23.61% (95% CI: 22.12, 25.16). Factors like media exposure [AOR = 1.51; 95% CI (1.08, 2.13)], household wealth index [AOR = 1.84; 95% CI (1.24, 2.74)], ANC visits [AOR = 1.50; 95% CI (1.05, 2.13)], current breastfeeding status [AOR = 1.82; 95% CI (1.37, 2.43)], age of the child [AOR = 7.47; 95% CI (5.43, 10.3)], number of under-5 children in the household [AOR = 3.97; 95% CI (1.38, 11.4)], and community-level media exposure [AOR = 1.41; 95% CI (1.03, 1.93)] were significantly associated with meeting minimum dietary diversity.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one in four children aged 6 to 23 months achieved minimum dietary diversity in Senegal. Children from mothers with media exposure, wealthier households, attending 4 + antenatal care visits, currently breastfeeding, older children, and no under-5 children in the household were associated with higher odds of meeting minimum dietary diversity. Therefore, improving media access, women's empowerment, enhancing antenatal care service utilization, encouraging continued breastfeeding, and giving prior attention to younger children aged 6-11 months and mothers who had under-five children in the household are strongly recommended.