Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers in peri-urban areas of Dessie city, Northeastern ethiopia, 2024.

Age (in years)

18–30

190

47.4

31–40

171

42.6

≥ 41

40

10

Education status

Unable to read and write

74

18.5

Primary school (up to grade 8)

126

31.4

Secondary school (grade 9–12)

107

26.7

College and above

94

23.4

Marital status

Married

219

54.6

Widowed

64

16

Divorced

118

29.4

Occupational status

Housewife

70

17.5

Merchant

96

23.9

Government employee

40

10

Daily labourer

67

16.7

Farmer

128

31.9

Monthly income (ETB)

< 2000

153

38.2

2001–4000

165

41.1

4001–5000

42

10.5

≥ 5001

41

10.2

Household size (in person)

≤ 5

181

45.1

> 5

220

54.9

Mean mothers age (in year) 31.02 (± 6.59SD)