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Abstract Background Child malnutrition may be mediated by poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. This study sought to explore if maternal social support or autonomy was related to IYCF indicators in Northern Region, Ghana. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 395 randomly sampled mother–child pairs from 8 health facilities. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, social support and autonomy statuses of mothers, and dietary intake and anthropometry of children. Maternal social support and autonomy statuses were derived and classified into tertiles and IYCF and child growth indicators were derived based on WHO protocol. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of maternal social support and autonomy statuses to IYCF indicators and child nutritional status. Results The mean age of the women was 27 (± 5.10) years and most belonged to the lowest tertile of social support (52.4%), and autonomy (44.1%). About half of the children, 53.2% and 44.6%, received Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) respectively but the majority (72.9%) received Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF). About a fifth of the children, 21.0%, 24.1%, and 20.5%, were wasted, stunted, and underweight respectively. Maternal autonomy was associated with IYCF but not growth indicators of young children. Compared to children of mothers of richest autonomy tertile, children of women of middle autonomy tertile were 67% less likely to receive MDD [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 0.33; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.18–0.59], and 56% less likely to receive MAD (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.24–0.77). Also, children belonging to mothers of poorest autonomy tertile were 56% less likely to receive MMF compared to children of richest maternal autonomy tertile (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23–0.84). Conclusion Maternal autonomy and not social support is associated with IYCF indicators of children in Northern Ghana; child survival programmes should incorporate or strengthen women empowerment interventions to improve child nutrition.

Background. Household food insecurity (FI) and maternal depression are serious public health problems, especially in low-income countries. The aims of this study were to determine the determinants of household FI and depression in mothers and the association between these constructs in Savelugu Municipality, Ghana. Methods. An analytical, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data on 364 mothers of under-five children selected using the multistage method in the municipal. Household FI and maternal depression were measured using the FI Experience Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item in personal interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with household FI and maternal depression and the association between these two constructs. Results. The mean age of mothers was 30.1(±6.5) years with almost all practising Islamic religion (96.2%) and were married (96.7%). The prevalence of household FI and maternal depression were 51.6% and 25.3%, respectively. The determinants of household FI were mother’s self-health rating, social support, nutrition knowledge, and household’s source of drinking water, while those of maternal depression were the mother’s work, place of residence, self-health rating, and nutrition knowledge. In multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis, women in food insecure households were about three times more likely than women in food secure households to be depressed (adjusted odds ratio = 2.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–4.55; and p=0.003). Conclusion. The current study shows a high prevalence of both household FI and depression in mothers in Savelugu Municipality. Both personal and household characteristics of the women are associated with household FI and maternal depression statuses, and the two constructs are highly correlated. It is recommended to include depression assessment in interventions for FI.