Comparison of dietary diversity scores and associated factors among children in households with and without home gardens, Ginir district, Oromia, Ethiopia

Dietary diversity score in children

Abstract

Background: Poor dietary practices are among the major public health problems in developing countries. However, little information exists regarding dietary diversity scores and their contributing factors among children living in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and compare the dietary diversity scores and associated factors among children in households with and without home gardens of the Ginir District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 746 children living in households with and without home gardens from April 30, 2024, to June 15, 2024. A multistage sampling method was used to select the study participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. A sequential multiple logistic regression model was used to see the factors associated with the outcome variable. The results were presented using 95% CI and adjusted odds ratio (AOR). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The prevalence of good dietary diversity scores of children in households with home garden was 30.5% and children without home gardens 19.1%. Married mothers (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.7), college and above educational level (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–4.9), having home garden practices (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), male child (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), younger child aged 6-23 months (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4–3.2), good mothers nutritional knowledge (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3), and rich wealth index (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5–3.5) were significantly associated with good dietary diversity scores.

Conclusions: The prevalence of good dietary diversity scores in households with home gardens is statistically higher than in households without gardens. Empowering households on home gardening practices, improving maternal knowledge, increasing their education, and promoting appropriate infant and child feeding practices are crucial interventions to improve dietary diversity scores in the study area.