Women’s Empowerment and Sociodemographic Characteristics as Determinant of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice in Indonesia

Abstract

Proper infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are essential to promote child's optimum health and improve their survival. Women's empowerment is believed can mediate intra-household resources towards optimal IYCF practice. However, the evidence is limited in South-East Asia. This study was aimed to determine the association of women's empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics with IYCF practice in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study used the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) data. Samples were 4,923 women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) whose last child was aged 6-23 months old. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association of women's empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics with IYCF practice. Child's age 18-23 months old (AOR=6.58; 95% CI=5.121-8.456), husband's occupation in non-agricultural sector (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.17-4.07), the richest household (AOR=2.83; 95% CI=2.007-4.002), and high level of women's empowerment (AOR=1.311; 95% CI=1.085-1.584), significantly associated with Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD). Living in urban residence is significantly associated with Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI=1.026-1.481). Child's age 18-23 months old (AOR=2.31; 95% CI=1.916-2.785), living in the richest household (AOR=1.46; 95% CI=1.121-1.905), in urban residence (AOR=1.224; 95% CI=1.033-1.451), and high level of women's empowerment (AOR=1.27; 95% CI=1.093-1.488), significantly associated with Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). While women aged 45-49 years had significant negative association with MAD (AOR=0.342; 95% CI=0.141-0.833; coef. =-1.072). It can be concluded that women empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics are associated with IYCF practice. Therefore, enhancing women's Empowerment through health promotion is inevitable, considering their sociodemographic background.