Minimum acceptable diet and stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Dalit and Non-Dalit and associated factors: A cross-sectional comparative study of Dhanusha district, Nepal

Abstract Background The complementary feeding practices are essential for development and survival of infant and young child, it reduces the risk of under-nutrition. The aim of the study was to assess the status and identify factors associated with minimum acceptable diet and stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Dalit and Non-Dalit.Methods A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Dhanusha district among mother who has 6-23 months children. Altogether 599 respondents were taken of which 299 were from Dalit and 300 from Non-Dalit and used multistage simple random sampling. Interview and anthropometry measurement were used for data collection technique and structure questionnaire as a tool. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done by using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS).Results The prevalence of minimum acceptable diet (MAD) and stunting were 43.8% and 49.9% among Dalit while 44.3%, and 39% among Non-Dalit. The MAD were significantly associated with the age of child (AOR=0.25, 95 CI: 0.11-0.54), child illness in the past two weeks (AOR=4.31, 95% CI: 1.56-11.88) and child of mother who had no knowledge on child feeding (AOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.16-0.61) among Dalit while age of child (AOR=0.37, 95 CI: 0.21-0.64), child illness in past two weeks (AOR=4.80, 95% CI: 2.23-10.32, child mother who had no knowledge on child feeding (AOR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.16-0.42) and birth interval (AOR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.56-3.19) among Non-Dalit. Stunting was significantly associated with family types (AOR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.11-3.34) among Dalits while Ante Natal Care (ANC) visit (AOR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.15-8.90), media exposure (AOR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.11-8.64 and age of child (AOR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.57) in Non-Dalit.Conclusion This study shows that the age of child, child illness and knowledge on child feeding are the key associated factors of the MAD practices in both Dalits and Non-Dalits, while birth interval also among Non-Dalits. Similarly, family type is a key associated factors of stunting in Dalits while age of child, ANC visit and media exposure among Non-Dalits. Community based awareness raising appropriates child feeding and nutrition and related implementation program could be needed for improving the nutritional status of children.