AUTHOR=Raru Temam Beshir , Merga Bedasa Taye , Mulatu Gutema , Deressa Alemayehu , Birhanu Abdi , Negash Belay , Gamachu Mulugeta , Regassa Lemma Demissie , Ayana Galana Mamo , Roba Kedir Teji 

TITLE=Minimum Dietary Diversity Among Children Aged 6–59 Months in East Africa Countries: A Multilevel Analysis

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 68 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605807

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605807

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Dietary diversity is a quantitative number of food items or groups used as a method of determining variety and nutrient adequacy of diets for an individual. This study is intended to identify determinants of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among under-five children in East Africa based on the 2017 revised indicator. 
 Methods: Secondary data from the demographic and health survey (DHS) of eight countries were combined. A total of 27,223 weighted sample of children aged 6-59 months were included in this study.  Multi-level logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the determinants of MDD. 
Results: The magnitude of adequate MDD in East Africa was found to be 10.47%. Mothers age, mother’s education, and post-natal check up with in two months were among significant determinants of adequate MDD. 
Conclusion: The magnitude of adequate MDD intake among children aged 6–59 months is relatively low. To have better dietary diversity, policymakers on child health should work on promoting women’s education, family planning, institutional delivery, and comprehensiveness of post-natal care services during the follow-up.