Determinants of dietary diversity among children 6-23 months: a cross-sectional study in three regions of Haiti

BackgroundThe prenatal, perinatal, postnatal and nutritional (A3PN) support study was a 4-year initiative aimed to reduce maternal mortality in Haiti. A cross-sectional study was developed to collect the baseline data for evaluation purposes of the A3PN. This study aimed to determine the factors contributing to dietary diversity (DD) in Haitian children aged 6-23 months. MethodsA cross-sectional study during two seasons (the lean season and the harvest season) was carried out in Haiti to assess the DD of children and their mothers using non-quantitative 24-h recalls. Indicators of DD were minimum dietary diversity for children (MDD-C) and minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W). Mid-upper arm circumference was measured in women and children, and food security was assessed using the Household Hunger Scale. Focus groups were also conducted to gain a better understanding of the quantitative findings. ResultsOnly 7.3% of the children included in this study met the MDD-C. Factors associated with MDD-C were the season (odds ratio [OR]: 0.141 [0.039-0.513]), land ownership or rental (OR: 4.603 [1.233-17.188]), maternal education (OR: 0.092 [0.011-0.749]), the mother's responsibility for the main or secondary source of income for the household (OR: 2.883 [1.030-8.069]) and her DD (OR: 5.690 [1.916-16.892]). Focus groups revealed the existence of various food restrictions. ConclusionsThe results indicated that the low prevalence of MDD-C in three regions of study in Haiti is indicative of a serious public health concern that might be further aggravated by local food taboos. They also suggest that to fight against hunger, it is necessary to focus on women's well-being.