Dietary diversity and its associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in mauritania: evidence from national survey.

Abstract

Introduction: Dietary diversity is a key determinant of child nutrition and development, particularly for children aged 6-23 months. Not meeting minimum dietary diversity increases the risk of malnutrition, which remains a major public health concern in Mauritania. However, little is known about the dietary diversity status and its associated factors among young children in the country. This study aims to assess the prevalence of meeting the minimum dietary diversity and to identify factors influencing dietary diversity among children aged 6-23 months in Mauritania.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2019-2021 Mauritania Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 3,233 children aged 6-23 months were included in the study. Minimum dietary diversity was defined as the consumption of at least five out of eight recommended food groups within the past 24 h. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was used to identify individual- and community-level factors associated with dietary diversity. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The median dietary diversity score was 3 (IQR: 2), and the prevalence of children aged 6-23 months who met the minimum dietary diversity score was 19.24% (95% CI: 17-20%). Of the children, 63.57% consumed milk and milk products, while only 8.26%, 13.74%, and 16.84% consumed eggs, other fruits and vegetables, and legumes, respectively. Factors significantly associated with meeting Minimum dietary diversity included child age (AOR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.47-2.47 for children aged 18-23 months), maternal education (AOR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04-1.88 for mothers with secondary education or higher), media access (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05-1.68), wealth status (AOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05-2.37 for the richest households), maternal employment (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03-1.69), and place of residence (AOR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56-0.99 for rural areas). Larger household sizes and having three or more children under five years were negatively associated with meeting dietary diversity scores.

Conclusion: This study highlights a low prevalence of children meeting the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) in Mauritania, with significant differences based on socio-economic and demographic factors. To improve dietary diversity, targeted interventions such as nutrition education, and enhanced food accessibility are needed. Addressing these factors is critical to reducing malnutrition and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to child health and nutrition in Mauritania.