Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors in Children Aged 6 to 59 Months in Slum Areas of Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

People in slum areas often encounter significant challenges due to their economic situations. Ethiopia is undergoing a rapid nutrition transition, with significant dietary changes occurring in both rural and urban areas. This shift poses serious public health risks, especially for populations living in slum areas. Therefore, evaluating the overall quality of diets is crucial. In Gondar City, Ethiopia, 3 slum areas face challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and substandard housing. These conditions increase the likelihood of residents experiencing poor dietary diversity. Currently, there is a lack of data showing the magnitude of dietary diversity in these slum areas. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dietary diversity and its associated factors among under-5 children living in the slum areas of Gondar City. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 3 slum areas of Gondar City, Ethiopia, from August 30 to November 28, 2023. The study included all 600 children aged 6 to 59 months living in the slum areas of Gondar City. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the independent determinants of poor dietary diversity. The overall prevalence of adequate dietary diversity was 37.6% (95% confidence interval, 28.5, 44.65). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between dietary diversity and several factors, including the child’s age, timing of complementary feeding initiation, parents’ marital status, household wealth, and participants’ educational background. Children aged 36 to 59 months and those who received breast milk 3 or more times per day were more likely to achieve adequate dietary diversity. In contrast, children from lower-wealth households and mothers with no formal education were less likely to have adequate dietary diversity. Adequate dietary diversity among under-5 children in Gondar’s slum areas calls for comprehensive interventions beyond government support. Addressing socioeconomic and structural barriers requires a multidimensional approach, including economic empowerment through vocational training, microfinance, and cash transfers, alongside community-based solutions such as nutrition education, urban agriculture, and food subsidies. Strengthening food supply chains, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring livable wages are essential for sustainable progress. A multisectoral strategy integrating health, education, agriculture, and social welfare can combat malnutrition and improve child well-being. Future studies should explore multivariate analysis or continuous variables to gain deeper insights into dietary diversity.