Objective: The study aimed to examine secular trends
and determinants of changes in complementary
feeding indicators in Nigeria.
Design, setting and participants: Data on 79 953
children aged 6–23 months were obtained from the
Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) for
the period spanning 2003–2013. The surveys used a
stratified two-stage cluster sample of eligible mothers
aged 15–49 years from the six geopolitical zones of
Nigeria. Trends in complementary feeding indicators
and socioeconomic, health service and individual
characteristics including factors associated with
complementary feeding indicators were examined
using multilevel logistic regression analyses.
Results: Minimum dietary diversity for children aged
6–23 months worsened from 26% in 2003 to 16% in
2013. Minimum meal frequency improved from 43% in
2003 to 56% in 2013 and minimum acceptable diet
worsened from 11% to 9%. Among educated mothers,
there was a decreasing prevalence of the introduction
of solid, semisolid and soft foods in infants aged
6–8 months (67% in 2003 to 57% in 2013); minimum
dietary diversity (33% in 2003 to 24% in 2013) and
minimum acceptable diet (13% in 2003 to 8% in
2013). Mothers with a higher education level and
mothers who reported more health service contacts
were more likely to meet the minimum dietary
diversity. Similarly, the odds for minimum acceptable
diet were higher among mothers from higher
socioeconomic status groups and mothers who
reported frequent health services use.
Conclusions: Complementary feeding practices in
Nigeria declined over the study period and are below
the expected levels required to ensure adequate growth
and development of Nigerian children. National policies
and programmes that ensure sustainability of projects
post-MDGs and higher health service coverage for
mothers, including community-based education
initiatives, are proposed to improve complementary
feeding practices among Nigerian mothers.