Determinants of egg consumption by infants and young children in Ethiopia

Objective: To identify determinants of egg consumption in infants and young children aged 6-23 center dot 9 months in Ethiopia. Design and setting: Data used were from the cross-sectional baseline survey of an egg campaign in Ethiopia implemented by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. Participants: Children aged 6-23 center dot 9 months (n 453) were sampled. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, economic resources, caregiver's behaviour, child health and feeding practices, and egg consumption in the last 7 d were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the association between explanatory variables and egg consumption in the last 7 d. Results: About half of children (53 center dot 4 %) did not consume eggs in the last 7 d. The odds of children consuming eggs were 4 center dot 33 (P < 0 center dot 002) times higher when their caregivers had some college education compared with no education. Wealth was positively (OR, 1 center dot 13, P = 0 center dot 029) and household food insecurity was negatively (OR, 0 center dot 96, P = 0 center dot 117) associated with child egg consumption. Purchasing eggs (OR, 9 center dot 73, P < 0 center dot 001) and caregiver's positive behavioural determinants (OR, 1 center dot 37, P = 0 center dot 005) were associated with child egg consumption. The associations of socio-demographic characteristics and economic resources with egg consumption provide evidence of partial mediation through caregiver behaviour and child health. Conclusions: About half of children aged 6-23 center dot 9 months consumed eggs. Availability of eggs in households, mainly through purchase, was strongly associated with egg consumption. Education of caregivers and household heads and economic resources were associated with egg consumption and may operate through caregiver behaviour.

Automated summary

The study identified that factors such as caregiver's education level, economic resources, household food security, purchasing behavior, and caregiver's positive attitude all influenced egg consumption in children aged 6-23 months. Additionally, the availability of eggs in the household, mainly through purchase, was strongly associated with egg consumption.