Table 2 Bi-variable and multivariable Cox regression of variable associated with the time to initiate into complementary feeding among mothers who have index children aged 6–24 months, in Tahtay Maichew district, northern Ethiopia, 2016 (N = 633)

Maternal employment

House wife

1

1

Government employment

1.22 (0.85–1.77)

1.67 (1.10–2.53)*

Private

0.76 (0.52–1.09)

1.255 (0.76–2.08)

Farmer

1.18 (0.98–1.42)

1.64 (0.82–3.23)

Husbands education

No formal education

1.30 (1.10–1.538)

2.08 (1.22–3.86)*

Primary education and above

1

1

Wealth index

Poor

1

1

Medium

1.06 (0.87–1.30)

0.99 (0.77–1.27)

Rich

1.20 (0.99–1.46)

1.05 (0.79–1.40)

ANC follow up

Yes

1

1

No

2.15 (1.63–2.84)

1.58 (0.60–4.21)

Birth preparedness

Yes

1

1

No

2.20 (1.58–2.80)

3.74 (1.49–9.39)*

PNC follow up

Yes

1

1

No

1.49 (1.27–1.76)

1.15 (0.94–1.41)

Getting counseling at ANC/PNC

Yes

1

1

No

1.87 (1.51–2.30)

0.82 (0.58–1.17)

Contraceptive use

Yes

1

1

No

1.23 (1.03–1.46)

0.86 (0.70–1.05)

Growth monitoring

Yes

1

No

1.55 (1.46–2.07)

5.79 (2.60–12.88)**

Ever heard about time to start CF before

Yes

1

1

No

1.99 (1.62–2.45)

1.13 (0.82–1.56)

Ability to know the exact time to start CF

Yes

1

1

No

1.96 (1.65–2.32)

4.93 (1.94–12.50)*

Husband support

Yes

1

1

No

2.79 (2.31–3.38)

4.99 (2.02–12.34)**