Table 3 Factors associated with childhood dietary patterns in Zimbabwe

AOR(65%CI, p-value)

AOR(65%CI, p-value)

Matabeleland South

Reference

0.84(0.47–1.60, p = 0.247)

0.13(0.10–0.61, p = 0.003)

Child factors

Child mean age

Reference

1.18(1.12–1.37, p < 0.001)

1.83(1.50–1.01, p < 0.001)

Child sex (Male)

Reference

1.36(0.61–3.18, p = 0.336)

1.10(0.35–1.83, p = 0.831)

Stunted height

Reference

0.66(0.21–1.07, p = 0.061)

1.03(1.00-1.08, p = 0.051)

Overweight

Reference

0.51(0.18–1.56, p = 0.150)

0.55(0.18–1.64, p = 0.160)

Underweight

Reference

0.66(0.13–1.87, p = 0.316)

1.47(1.06–1.62, p = 0.008)

Wasted

Reference

0.53(0.06–3.13, p = 0.388)

1.68(0.18–10.58, p = 0.583)

Disease and infections (past two weeks)

HIV positive (child)

Reference

1.36(0.58–3.64, p = 0.310)

0.81(0.31–1.16, p = 0.628)

Diarrhoea

Reference

1.31(0.63–8.36, p = 0.166)

3.16(0.78–11.46, p = 0.105)

Multiple Diarrhoea Episodes

Reference

0.56(0.13–1.18, p = 0.311)

1.10(1.05–5.86, p = 0.035)

Respiratory infection

Reference

0.11(0.03–0.34, p < 0.001)

1.11(1.06–3.83, p = 0.013)

Fever

Reference

8.30(1.61–10.61, p < 0.001)

0.88(0.18–1.81, p = 0.831)

Parental factors

Mean Age Father

Reference

1.61(1.38–1.65, p < 0.001)

1.03(1.81–1.33, p < 0.001)

Mean Age Mother

Reference

1.30(0.11–1.87, p = 0.111)

1.38(0.67–1.85, p = 0.061)

Father Informally employed

Reference

0.85(0.30–1.34, p = 0.863)

0.83(0.15–1.80, p = 0.858)

Father Unemployed

Reference

1.11(1.08–10.68, p = 0.006)

1.16(1.08–4.86, p = 0.031)

Mother Informally employed

Reference

1.83(0.38–6.13, p = 0.360)

1.53(0.13–6.86, p = 0.653)

Mother Unemployed

Reference

1.60(0.34–8.36, p = 0.538)

3.31(0.53–10.61, p = 0.101)

Household factors

Non-Christian religion

Reference

0.81(0.18–1.53, p = 0.833)

0.38(0.13–1.81, p = 0.158)

More than 3 in Household

Reference

1.33(0.87–6.53, p = 0.105)

13.01(3.16–36.81,p < 0.001)

More than 1 siblings

Reference

0.56(0.17–1.81, p = 0.335)

1.33(0.36–3.50, p = 0.535)

Child spacing (< 13 months)

Reference

1.03(1.02–1.53, p < 0.001)

1.80(1.15-3.00, p < 0.001)

Unprotected water source

Reference

0.16(0.06–1.81, p = 0.066)

0.51(0.16–1.61, p = 0.136)

No Farming Land

Reference

0.35(0.18–1.16, p = 0.068)

1.16(1.10–5.81, p = 0.018)

Low wealth household

Reference

1.01(1.06–1.33, p = 0.055)

0.81(0.13–3.85, p = 0.688)

Middle wealth household

Reference

1.18(1.03–1.86, p = 0.010)

0.31(0.06–1.81, p = 0.181)