Drivers of inappropriate complementary feeding among children 6–23 months in Nalerigu municipality, North East Region, Ghana

About 90% Ghanaian children experience inappropriate complementary feeding (ICF). This study investigated drivers of inappropriate complementary feeding using inadequate minimum acceptable as proxy among children in North East region, Ghana. The study used cross-sectional design. A sample of 350 mother–child pairs were drawn from 25 communities through multi-stage sampling procedure. ICF was considered if child failed to satisfy WHO/UNICEF complementary feeding indicators a day, thus, the introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods to 6–8 months old, minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum acceptable diet among children 6–23 months old. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with inappropriate complementary feeding in children. Prevalence of inadequate minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet were 66.9%, 56.0%, and 87.7%, respectively; 32.6% were not timely introduced to complementary feeding. In multivariate analysis, malaria [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.70; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.20–4.40, statistical significance (p) = 0.043], home rearing of domestic animals (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.18–0.91, p = 0.031), short birth interval with index child (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.55–9.01, p = 0.002), low household wealth index (AOR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.30–0.87, p = 0.022), and maternal age ≥ 35 years (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.01–3.20, p = 0.021) had statistically significant relationship with inadequate minimum acceptable diet. Prevalence of inappropriate complementary feeding practice was high among the children. Nutrition interventions that protect against child morbidity and promote food availability and accessibility for households, food hygiene, and safety should be encouraged.