Table 5 Bivariate and multivariate associations of factors with dietary diversity among lactating mothers visiting public health facilities in Aksum, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, June 2015

Educational status

 No formal education

27 (17.9)

30 (15.4)

1.2 (0.6–2.6)

0.8 (0.3–2.1)

 Elementary (1–8)

46 (30.5)

84 (43.1)

2 (1.01–3.9)

1.4 (0.6–3.5)

 Secondary (9–12)

54 (35.8)

59 (30.3)

1.2 (0.6–2.4)

0.9 (0.4–2.1)

 12+

24 (15.9)

22 (11.3)

1

1

Occupation

 Unemployed

22 (14.6)

44 (22.6)

2.3 (1.2–4.5)

2.2 (1.0–4.7)

 House wife

71 (47)

91 (46.7)

1.5 (0.9–2.5)

1.0 (0.5–2.2)

 Daily laborer

13 (8.6)

21 (10.8)

1.9 (0.8–4.2)

1.0 (0.3–2.9)

 Private business

45 (29.8)

39 (20)

1

1

Residential address

 Urban

126 (83.4)

154 (79)

1

1

 Rural

25 (16.6)

41 (21)

1.3 (0.8–2.3)

0.9 (0.4–1.8)

Average monthly income

  ≤ 500 ETB

81 (53.6)

115 (59)

2.6 (1.4–4.9)

2.3 (1.2–4.6)^a

 501–1500 ETB

37 (24.5)

62 (31.8)

3.1 (1.5–6.2)

3.0 (1.4–6.3)^a

  > 1500 ETB

33 (21.9)

18 (9.2)

1

1

Source of drinking water

 Tap water

129 (85.4)

147 (75.4)

1

1

 Pumping water

19 (12.6)

34 (17.4)

1.6 (0.9–2.9)

1.7 (0.7–4.0)

 Protected well

3 (2)

14 (7.2)

4.1 (1.2–14.6)

4.5 (1.1–18.2)^a

Availability of latrine

 Yes

128 (84.8)

156 (80)

1

1

 No

23 (15.2)

39 (20)

1.4 (0.8–2.5)

1.5 (0.8–2.7)

History of illness in the previous 2 weeks

 Yes

26 (17.2)

27 (13.8)

0.8 (0.4–1.4)

0.8 (0.4–1.5)

 No

125 (82.8)

168 (86.2)

1

1

Duration of menstruation (days)

  < 4

25 (16.6)

24 (12.3)

1

1

 4–6

118 (78.1)

152 (77.9)

1.3 (0.7–2.5)

1.2 (0.6–2.4)

  > 6

8 (5.3)

19 (9.7)

2.4 (0.9–6.7)

2.4 (0.8–6.9)

Practicing home gardening

 Yes

23 (15.2)

18 (9.2)

1

1

 No

128 (84.8)

177 (90.8)

1.8 (0.9–3.4)

2.1 (1.01–4.2)^a

Daily eating pattern in the previous 7 days

 Three meals and/or above

68 (45)

68 (34.9)

1

1

 Two meals & eating between meals

65 (43)

92 (47.2)

1.4 (0.9–2.3)

1.3 (0.8–2.1)

 Two meals only or below

18 (11.9)

35 (17.9)

1.9 (1.01–3.8)

1.8 (0.9–3.7)