Table 1 Variables definition

Child factors

 Age of child (months)

Categorized into (1) 0–11; (2) 12–23; (3) 24–35; (4) 36–47; and (5) 48–59.

 Sex of child

Categorized into (1) female and (2) male.

 Birth weight (g)

Categorized into (1) low < 2500 and (2) normal ≥ 2500.

 Type of birth

Categorized into (1) single and (2) multiple birth

 Immunization

Categorized into (1) incomplete or (2) complete

 Anemia

Categorized into (1) non-anemic; (2) mild; (3) moderate; (4) sever

Maternal/household factors

 Maternal age in years

Categorized into (1) 15–24; (2) 25–34; or (3) 35–49.

 Educational level of mother

Categorized into (1) no formal education; (2) primary; (3) secondary; or (4) higher.

 Mother’s body mass index (kg/m2)

Categorized into (1) <18.5; (2) 18.5–24.9; or (3) ≥ 25.0.

 Birth interval (months)

Categorized into (1) ≥24 and (2) <24.

 Number of under-fives children

Categorized into (1) 1; (2) 2; (3) 3; or (4) ≥4.

 Head of household

Categorized into (1) male or (2) female.

 Wealth index

Categorized into (1) (first quintile) (Poorest); (2) (second quintile); (3) (third quintile); (4) (fourth quintile); or (5) (fifth quintile) (Richest)

Community-level factors

 Residence Poverty rate

Categorized into (1) rural or (2) urban. Proportion of households living below poverty level (wealth index below 20 %, poorest quintile). Categorized into (1) Low or (2) High. Median value serves as the reference for the low and high groups.

 Region

Categorized into (1) Dire Dawa; (2) Tigray; (3) Afar; (4) Amhara; (5) Oromiya; (6)Somali; (7) Benishangul-Gumuz; (8) SNNP; (9) Gambela; (10) Harari; (11) Addis Ababa

 Latrine facility type

Categorized into (1) improved (access to flush toilet, ventilated improved pit latrine, traditional pit latrine with a slab, or composting toilet and does not share this facility with other households) or (2) unimproved.

 Drinking water sources

Categorized into (1) piped water; (2) Other improved (protected spring and well, and rain water); (3) unimproved (river, pond, unprotected spring and well).