Background Inappropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice is the leading cause of malnutrition in children. Data is needed to identify children at risk of poor feeding practice and to target interventions to improve IYCF practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess IYCF practice and associated factors among mothers of children age 6 to 23 months in Debrelibanos district, north Showa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Method A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 380 mothers of children age 6 to 23 months from March 1 to April 5, 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire that had been pretested. The data was entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and then transferred to SPSS 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was done, and an association between an outcome variable and independent variables was examined in logistic regression models. Result Overall, 65.8% of mothers practiced appropriate IYCF practice. The study revealed that 70.5% of children started breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and 61.6% were breastfed exclusively for six months. Among studied mothers, 79.5% continued to breastfeed their children until 2 years, and 69.2% of the participants started complementary feeding timely at six months. Minimum dietary diversity was observed in 19.2% of children, while minimum meal frequency was found in 79.2%. The majority of mothers (77.6%) fed their babies with bottles. Mother’s educational status of primary school [AOR = 4.50, 95% CI: (1.38,14.61)], husband’s occupation being merchant [AOR = 6.45, 95% CI: (1.51, 27.59)]; antenatal care follows up [AOR = 3.15, % CI: (1.22, 8.12)], radio/television ownership [AOR = 7.41, 95% CI: (2.86, 19.20)], child’s sex being female [AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: (2.26, 10.064) and sufficient knowledge on child feeding [AOR = 2.82, 95% CI: (1.27, 26.26)] were independent predictors for appropriate IYCF practice. Conclusion The prevalence of appropriate infant and young child feeding practice indicators was found to be rather high among the mothers in this study. The use of a bottle to feed babies, in particular is very common among the mothers who were studied. To address child malnutrition, it is critical to educate families about proper IYCF practices. This study suggests that mothers be properly educated about IYCF recommendations at health care facilities during their visits, as well as the promotion of appropriate IYCF through various media.

Female genital mutilation is still a serious health problem in Ethiopia. Female genital mutilation conceptualizes harmful traditional practice and is among existing traditional attitudes and practices on practice in different corners of the world. Other than demographic and health survey data, studies showing the prevalence of female genital mutilation is scarce and in some areas nonexistent. Its existence is only, time and again recognized as the practice has various health, social and psychological adversities. This study team found it imperative as the problem warranty study with the aim to assess prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) as well as identifying its associated factors among high school students. Institution based cross sectional study design was employed. 95% confidence level and 3% margin of error were used to study the magnitude and associated factors of FGM among 798 high school and preparatory students. A multi stage sampling procedure was employed to select female students in the schools. This research showed percentages and association among the variables by univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. )], respectively were independently associated to higher prevalence of female genital mutilation. Irrespective of different forms of interventions in the country, the prevalence of female genital mutilation is still very high in the study area. This study thus revealed that palatable and very convenient intervention strategies need to be crafted to curb the problem at large and for those rural villagers who are at higher risk in particular.

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