Minimum Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Mozambique: Evidence from the 2022–2023 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract Background Minimum dietary diversity (MDD) is an important indicator of dietary quality and micronutrient adequacy among young children, and inadequate complementary feeding practices remain common in Mozambique. This study assessed the prevalence of MDD and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 23 months, using nationally representative data from the 2022–2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS). Methods An analytical cross-sectional design was used, accounting for the complex MDHS sampling design (weights, clustering, stratification). Bivariate associations with MDD were assessed using weighted logistic regression (svyglm, quasibinomial family), yielding crude odds ratios (CORs) with 95% CIs; variables with p < 0.20 were retained for the multivariable model, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 2.727 children aged 6–23 months were included. The overall prevalence of MDD was 14.1% (95% CI: 12.34–16.21), ranging from 1.1% in Gaza to 21.1% in Maputo Province. Grains, roots and tubers (85.9%) and breastmilk (76.4%) were the most consumed foods, whereas eggs (5.7%), dairy products (9.8%), and legumes and nuts (27.4%) were the least consumed. Older children (12–17 months: AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.34–3.12; 18–23 months: AOR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.50–3.20), children of employed mothers (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.13–2.25), and those in the Central (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03–2.43) and Northern regions (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.29–3.66) were more likely to achieve MDD, while paternal primary education was associated with lower odds (AOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.98). Conclusion MDD among children aged 6–23 months in Mozambique remains low, with marked provincial disparities. Child age, maternal employment, paternal education, and region of residence are key determinants. Nutrition-education interventions for mothers and fathers should be geographically targeted, prioritizing the Southern region and households with low paternal education.