Causes of Low Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 1 views

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding plays a vital role in fulfilling a baby's nutrition, supporting optimal growth and development in the beginning of life until the next period of growth. Babies who do not receive exclusive breastfeeding and are only given formula milk are at high risk of experiencing malnutrition and not getting the needed immunity. This study aims to determine the implementation system of the exclusive ASI program at the Simalingkar Medan Health Center.

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding is a crucial aspect of a baby's early life, providing them with the necessary nutrients and antibodies to develop a strong immune system. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding along with solid foods up to two years of age or beyond. However, despite its importance, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low in many parts of the world, including Indonesia.

Methodology

This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach involving 10 informants. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews, while secondary data were collected from the Puskesmas. The results showed that the implementation system of exclusive ASI programs in the Simalingkar Health Center had not been running optimally. There are several problems in various aspects, such as input, process, and output.

Input Problems

In terms of input, the most striking problem is the lack of the number of ASI counselors available, inappropriate allocation of funds, and the lack of supporting facilities and infrastructure. This results in the process of preparation, implementation, monitoring, and program evaluation not going well. In addition, the scope of exclusive breastfeeding in the community is also still low.

Process Problems

The process of preparation, implementation, monitoring, and program evaluation is not going well due to the lack of input. The ASI counselors are not available in sufficient numbers, and the funds allocated for the program are not sufficient to cover the costs of implementing the program. The lack of supporting facilities and infrastructure also hinders the effective implementation of the program.

Output Problems

The output of the exclusive ASI program is also affected by the input and process problems. The scope of exclusive breastfeeding in the community is still low, and many mothers do not realize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the health of their babies. This results in a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the community.

Causes of Low Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

One of the main causes of the low scope of exclusive breastfeeding is the lack of cadre participation in implementing this program, as well as lack of community awareness and participation. Many mothers do not realize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the health of their babies, so they prefer to give formula milk.

Suggestions for Improvement

To increase the effectiveness of the exclusive ASI program at the Simalingkar Health Center, some suggestions can be submitted. First, the Puskesmas needs to form a team of trained ASI counselor officers. Second, it is important to hold training for cadres to be more disciplined, active, and skilled in conveying information about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to the community. In addition, the Puskesmas is also advised to make ASI corner as an educational place for mothers, so that they can more easily access information and support related to ASI.

Role of the Medan City Health Office

The Medan City Health Office also needs to be more active in supervising the activities that have been carried out, so that this program can develop well. The addition and improvement of infrastructure that supports the implementation of the program is also an important thing so that the target of exclusive breastfeeding can be achieved.

Conclusion

By increasing public awareness about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, mothers are expected to be more motivated to provide breastfeeding to their babies. This will contribute to improving the health of future generations and reducing malnutrition numbers in society. The exclusive ASI program is not only the responsibility of health agencies, but also requires the support and active participation of all levels of society.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The Puskesmas should form a team of trained ASI counselor officers to increase the effectiveness of the exclusive ASI program.
The Puskesmas should hold training for cadres to be more disciplined, active, and skilled in conveying information about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to the community.
The Puskesmas should make ASI corner as an educational place for mothers, so that they can more easily access information and support related to ASI.
The Medan City Health Office should be more active in supervising the activities that have been carried out, so that this program can develop well.
The addition and improvement of infrastructure that supports the implementation of the program is also an important thing so that the target of exclusive breastfeeding can be achieved.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. First, the study only involved 10 informants, which may not be representative of the entire community. Second, the study only focused on the exclusive ASI program at the Simalingkar Health Center, and may not be generalizable to other health centers. Third, the study only collected data through in-depth interviews and secondary data, and may not have captured all the relevant information.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on increasing the scope of exclusive breastfeeding in the community. This can be achieved by increasing public awareness about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, and by providing more support and resources to mothers who are breastfeeding. Future research should also focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the exclusive ASI program, and on identifying the factors that contribute to the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the community.

Q: What is the exclusive breast milk program?

A: The exclusive breast milk program is a program that aims to promote exclusive breastfeeding among mothers, where the baby is fed only breast milk for the first six months of life.

Q: Why is exclusive breastfeeding important?

A: Exclusive breastfeeding is important because it provides the baby with the necessary nutrients and antibodies to develop a strong immune system. It also helps to reduce the risk of malnutrition and other health problems.

Q: What are the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding?

A: The benefits of exclusive breastfeeding include:

Reduced risk of malnutrition and other health problems
Improved cognitive development and academic performance
Reduced risk of respiratory and ear infections
Improved mother-child bonding and emotional development
Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers

Q: What are the challenges of implementing the exclusive breast milk program?

A: The challenges of implementing the exclusive breast milk program include:

Lack of awareness and education among mothers and healthcare providers
Limited access to breastfeeding support and resources
Cultural and social barriers to breastfeeding
Limited availability of skilled breastfeeding counselors and support staff

Q: How can the exclusive breast milk program be improved?

A: The exclusive breast milk program can be improved by:

Increasing public awareness and education about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Providing more support and resources to mothers who are breastfeeding
Increasing the availability of skilled breastfeeding counselors and support staff
Improving the infrastructure and facilities for breastfeeding support

Q: What is the role of the Puskesmas in implementing the exclusive breast milk program?

A: The Puskesmas plays a crucial role in implementing the exclusive breast milk program by:

Providing education and training to healthcare providers and breastfeeding counselors
Offering support and resources to mothers who are breastfeeding
Conducting outreach and community engagement activities to promote exclusive breastfeeding
Monitoring and evaluating the program's effectiveness

Q: What is the role of the Medan City Health Office in implementing the exclusive breast milk program?

A: The Medan City Health Office plays a crucial role in implementing the exclusive breast milk program by:

Providing oversight and guidance to the Puskesmas and other healthcare providers
Developing and implementing policies and guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding
Providing resources and support to the Puskesmas and other healthcare providers
Monitoring and evaluating the program's effectiveness

Q: How can the community get involved in promoting exclusive breastfeeding?

A: The community can get involved in promoting exclusive breastfeeding by:

Participating in outreach and community engagement activities
Providing support and resources to mothers who are breastfeeding
Spreading awareness and education about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Encouraging and supporting breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices

Q: What are the next steps for the exclusive breast milk program?

A: The next steps for the exclusive breast milk program include:

Increasing public awareness and education about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
Providing more support and resources to mothers who are breastfeeding
Improving the infrastructure and facilities for breastfeeding support
Monitoring and evaluating the program's effectiveness

Q: How can the exclusive breast milk program be sustained in the long term?

A: The exclusive breast milk program can be sustained in the long term by:

Building a strong and sustainable infrastructure for breastfeeding support
Developing and implementing policies and guidelines for exclusive breastfeeding
Providing ongoing education and training to healthcare providers and breastfeeding counselors
Encouraging and supporting breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices.