Ethiopia hygiene practice during complementary feeding and associated factors; systematic review and meta-analysis

Getnet Alemu Andargie; Kedir Seid; Gebeyehu Lakew; Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw; Alemshet Yirga Berhie; Asnake Gashaw Belayneh; Solomon Ketema Bogale; Eyob Ketema Bogale; Eyob Getachew

doi:10.1186/s12887-024-05319-4

Ethiopia hygiene practice during complementary feeding and associated factors; systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Pediatr. 2025 Jan 4;25(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-05319-4.

Authors

Getnet Alemu Andargie¹, Kedir Seid², Gebeyehu Lakew³, Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw³, Alemshet Yirga Berhie⁴, Asnake Gashaw Belayneh⁵, Solomon Ketema Bogale⁶, Eyob Ketema Bogale⁷, Eyob Getachew³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition, Antsokiya Gemza Wereda Health Office, North Shoa, Ethiopia. getnetalemuandargie@gmail.com.
² Bati Primary Hospital, Oromo Special Zone, North Shoa, Ethiopia.
³ Health Promotion and Health Behavior Department, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
⁴ Nursing Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Nutrition, Antsokiya Gemza Wereda Health Office, North Shoa, Ethiopia.
⁷ Health Promotion and Behavioral Science Department, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 78, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Complementary feeding is crucial for infant growth, but poor hygiene during this period increases the risk of malnutrition and illness. In Ethiopia, national data on hygiene practices during complementary feeding, particularly among mothers of children aged 6-24 months, is limited. This study aims to synthesize existing data through a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the status of hygiene practices and identify key influencing factors, informing public health strategies to improve child health outcomes.

Methods: The systematic review methods were defined following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search strategy was implemented using electronic databases (Medline, Global Health, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and Psyc INFO) as well as grey literature. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to assess the quality of the studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software to compute pooled prevalence and odds ratios (OR) for the determinant factors, with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: The systematic review and meta-analysis included six studies with 2,565 mothers. The overall pooled prevalence of hygienic practices during complementary feeding was 42% (95% CI: 35%-48%). Subgroup analysis showed a prevalence of 41% in southern Ethiopia and 39% in northern Ethiopia. Significant factors associated with better hygiene practices included having hand washing facilities near toilets (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.04-8.31, p = 0.01) and a positive attitude towards hygiene (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.07-4.69, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis found a low proportion of hygienic practices during complementary feeding in Ethiopia, with maternal attitude and access to hand washing facilities identified as key predictors. Training and counseling for mothers on safe food processing are recommended, along with further research on community interventions and the impact of socio-economic factors on hygiene practices.

Keywords: Complementary feeding; Hygiene practice; Meta-analysis; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

Ethiopia
Humans
Hygiene*
Infant
Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Mothers