Relationship Between Breastfeeding Mother's Behavior To Astying In The Working Area Of the Nibung Tanjung Balai Teluk Health Center In 2004
Background
In 2004, the exclusive breastfeeding rate for 4 months and continued with MP-ASI until the age of 2 years in the District of Teluk Nibung Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra is still low. This is a serious concern, considering ASI is the best source of nutrition for babies and has many health benefits. Breastfeeding is a crucial aspect of infant care, and its benefits extend beyond the early years of life. It is essential to understand the factors that influence breastfeeding behavior to develop effective strategies for improving breastfeeding rates.
Research purposes
This study aims to identify the relationship between the behavior of breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding in the working area of the Nibung Tanjung Balai Teluk Health Center in 2004. Understanding the factors that influence breastfeeding behavior is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve breastfeeding rates. By examining the relationship between breastfeeding mothers' behavior and breastfeeding, this study aims to provide insights into the factors that contribute to the low breastfeeding rates in the study area.
Methodology
This study uses quantitative methods with cross-sectional design. The research sample consists of 100 breastfeeding mothers selected randomly. Data was collected using a questionnaire that measured the behavior of breastfeeding mothers in three groups of factors:
Mother's Characteristics Factors
- Age: The age of the breastfeeding mother can influence her behavior and knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Parity: The number of children a woman has can affect her breastfeeding behavior and knowledge.
- Education: Education level can influence a woman's knowledge and awareness about breastfeeding.
- Work: A woman's work status can affect her ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Health: A woman's health status can influence her ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Psychological Conditions: A woman's psychological conditions can affect her ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Attitudes: A woman's attitudes towards breastfeeding can influence her behavior and knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Knowledge: A woman's knowledge about breastfeeding is a critical factor in her ability to breastfeed correctly.
Supporting Factors
- Policy on ASI in Puskesmas: The policy on ASI in Puskesmas can influence a woman's ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Puskesmas Distance: The distance to Puskesmas can affect a woman's ability to access breastfeeding support and information.
- Media Exposure: A woman's exposure to media can influence her knowledge and awareness about breastfeeding.
Driving Factor
- The encouragement of health workers: Health workers can play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding mothers and providing them with information and guidance.
- Family: A woman's family can influence her ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
- Community: A woman's community can affect her ability to breastfeed and her knowledge about breastfeeding.
The dependent variable is breastfeeding, which is divided into two categories: correct breastfeeding and incorrect breastfeeding.
Results
The results showed that only 13% of breastfeeding mothers breastfed correctly, while 87% gave incorrect breastfeeding. Of all the behavioral factors measured, only the mother's knowledge factor has a significant relationship with the correct breastfeeding.
Analysis and Discussion
The results showed that the mother's knowledge factor had a significant influence on the correct breastfeeding. This shows that education and counseling about breast milk is very important to improve the practice of proper breastfeeding.
Factors that influence incorrect breastfeeding
Here are some of the factors that may play a role in the low number of breastfeeding:
Lack of knowledge and awareness about ASI
Many breastfeeding mothers still do not understand the benefits and importance of breast milk, as well as the correct breastfeeding technique.
Socio-cultural factors
In some cultures, giving formula milk is considered more modern and practical compared to breastfeeding.
Inadequate support
Breastfeeding mothers may not get enough support from family, friends, and health workers.
Limited Access
Limited access to health facilities and information about ASI can also be an obstacle.
Recommendation
Based on the results of the study, here are some recommendations that can help improve the practice of correct breastfeeding:
Increasing education and counseling
Educational and counseling programs about ASI must be more intensive and directed to breastfeeding mothers.
Increasing support
Providing strong support to breastfeeding mothers from family, friends, and health workers.
Increasing access
Increasing access to health facilities and information about ASI.
Building policies that support
Building policies that support breastfeeding and provide protection against breastfeeding practices.
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of mothers' knowledge in encouraging the practice of properly breastfeeding. Increasing the mother's knowledge and awareness about breast milk, providing strong support, and increasing access to information and health facilities are important steps to increase the proper breastfeeding rate.
Q: What is the significance of breastfeeding in infant care?
A: Breastfeeding is a crucial aspect of infant care, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect babies from infections and diseases. It also promotes bonding between mother and baby, and has been shown to have long-term benefits for the child's physical and emotional health.
Q: What are the factors that influence breastfeeding behavior?
A: The factors that influence breastfeeding behavior include the mother's characteristics (such as age, parity, education, work status, health status, psychological conditions, attitudes, and knowledge), supporting factors (such as policy on ASI in Puskesmas, Puskesmas distance, and media exposure), and driving factors (such as the encouragement of health workers, family, and community).
Q: What is the relationship between the mother's knowledge factor and correct breastfeeding?
A: The results of the study showed that the mother's knowledge factor had a significant influence on the correct breastfeeding. This suggests that education and counseling about breast milk is very important to improve the practice of proper breastfeeding.
Q: What are some of the factors that may contribute to the low number of breastfeeding?
A: Some of the factors that may contribute to the low number of breastfeeding include lack of knowledge and awareness about ASI, socio-cultural factors, inadequate support, and limited access to health facilities and information about ASI.
Q: What are some recommendations for improving the practice of correct breastfeeding?
A: Some recommendations for improving the practice of correct breastfeeding include increasing education and counseling, increasing support, increasing access to health facilities and information about ASI, and building policies that support breastfeeding and provide protection against breastfeeding practices.
Q: How can healthcare providers support breastfeeding mothers?
A: Healthcare providers can support breastfeeding mothers by providing education and counseling about breast milk, encouraging and supporting breastfeeding, and providing access to resources and information about breastfeeding.
Q: What role can communities play in supporting breastfeeding?
A: Communities can play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding by promoting a culture that values and supports breastfeeding, providing access to resources and information about breastfeeding, and encouraging and supporting breastfeeding mothers.
Q: How can breastfeeding rates be improved in the study area?
A: Improving breastfeeding rates in the study area will require a multi-faceted approach that includes increasing education and counseling, increasing support, increasing access to health facilities and information about ASI, and building policies that support breastfeeding and provide protection against breastfeeding practices.
Q: What are the long-term benefits of breastfeeding for the child's physical and emotional health?
A: The long-term benefits of breastfeeding for the child's physical and emotional health include a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as improved cognitive development and a reduced risk of mental health disorders.