Nutritional Status and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Children Aged 6–23 Months in the Maradi Region, Niger: A Geographic-Unit Cross-Sectional Analysis
Abstract:
Child malnutrition and suboptimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices remain major public health challenges in Niger. This study assessed the nutritional status and IYCF practices of children aged 6–23 months in the Maradi Region and examined geographic disparities and factors associated with complementary feeding. A cross-sectional study based on the SMART methodology was conducted between September and October 2025. Using a two-stage cluster sampling design, 1,353 children aged 6–23 months were included. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO growth standards, while complementary feeding practices were evaluated using minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Global acute malnutrition affected 21.9% of children, including 6.5% severe acute malnutrition. Stunting affected 59.1%, underweight 49.4%, and anemia 39.0% of children. Significant geographic disparities were observed across the nine study units. Only 18.7% of children met MDD and 17.1% met MAD, although 84.6% achieved MMF. Multivariable analyses showed that maternal education was positively associated with MDD and MAD, while associations varied across feeding indicators. No significant association was found between anemia and the assessed IYCF indicators. These findings highlight a substantial burden of malnutrition and inadequate complementary feeding practices among young children in Maradi, with marked geographic inequalities. Targeted nutrition interventions that promote dietary diversity and maternal education are needed to improve child nutrition outcomes in the region.References:
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