Table 2 Individual and community-level characteristics of the study participants in east Africa using 2008–2018 demographic health survey data (N = 34, 097)

Age of the child(months)

6–8

6006

17.61

9–11

5829

17.10

12–17

11,911

34.93

18–23

10,351

30.36

Respondents age (years)

15–24

12,253

35.984

25–34

15,367

45.07

35–49

6475

18.99

Birth order

First

8012

23.50

2^nd-4^th

16,560

48.57

Fifth and above

9525

27.94

Preceding birth interval

Less than 24 month

4018

11.78

24 months and above

3007

88.22

Number of antenatal care visits

0

2083

6.11

1–3

12,935

37.94

 ≥ 4

19,097

55.96

Family size

 < 5

16,766

49.17

 ≥ 5

17,331

50.83

Source of cooking fuel

Electricity

1111

3.26

Charcoal

6130

17.98

Wood

24,398

71.55

Animal dug

178

0.52

Other

2280

6.69

Number of under fifth children

No

384

1.12

One

12,616

37.00

More than one

21,098

61.88

Media exposure

No

11,654

34.18

Yes

22,443

65.82

Wealth status

Poor

15,723

46.11

Middle

6626

19.43

Rich

11,747

34.5

Maternal educational

No education

7393

21.68

Primary education

17,827

52.28

Secondary education

7865

23.07

Higher education

1012

2.97

Working statues

No

20,427

59.91

Yes

13,670

40.09

Residence

Urban

8182

23.99

Rural

25,916

76.01

Distance to a water source

30 min and less

19,744

53.29

Greater than 30 min

17,308

46.71

Sex of household head

Female

7718

22.64

Male

26,379

77.36

Community level education

Low

17,182

50.39

High

16,915

49.61

Place of delivery

Home

8085

23.71

Health facility

26,012

76.29

Community level poverty

Low

17,371

50.95

High

16,726

49.05

Community level ANC utilization

Low

17,759

52.08

High

16,338

47.92