Association between caregivers' time allocated to child feeding and adequacy of Infant and Young Child feeding of children between 6-23 months of age in Ga West Municipality.

Abstract

Background: Adequate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is critical for child survival, growth, and development. The Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), a composite indicator comprising minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency, serves as a key measure of feeding adequacy. Time allocation, particularly the amount of time caregivers dedicate to child feeding, plays a critical role in determining the adequacy of infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Inadequate time for feeding may compromise a child’s nutritional intake, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examined the association between caregivers’ time allocation, particularly time spent on child feeding, and the adequacy of feeding among children aged 6–23 months in Ga West Municipality, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 caregivers with children aged 6–23 months. Data were collected at Child Welfare Clinics within the district using semi- structured questionnaires capturing socio-demographic characteristics, time use across various daily activities, household food security and IYCF practices. Feeding adequacy was assessed based on World Health Organization’s MAD criteria. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between time use and MAD, controlling for potential confounders. Results: Overall, only about a third (34.6%) of caregivers spent more than an average of 90 minutes feeding their children daily. Children of caregivers who spent more than 90 minutes on feeding were more likely to meet MAD, though the association was not statistically significant (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.75–2.51; p = 0.310). Statistically significant predictors of MAD included tertiary education (aOR = 15.3; 95% CI: 3.50–66.9; p < 0.001) and household food security (aOR = 7.22; 95% CI: 2.60–20.1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Feeding time showed no significant relationship with dietary adequacy. However, education and household food security emerged as strong determinants of adequate child feeding. Interventions aiming to improve child nutrition should integrate caregiver education and household food access, alongside efforts to support responsive and adequate feeding practices.