The Influence of Breastfeeding Mother Characteristics on the Success of Exclusive ASI Program at Deli Tua Puskesmas, Deli Serdang Regency in 2017
Introduction
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) estimates that one million babies can be saved every year if they are breastfed in the first hour after birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months. Breast milk is not only rich in complete nutrition that babies need, but also contain vital antibodies for their immune system . However, according to WHO data (2016), only 38% of breastfeeding mothers worldwide are exclusively breastfed to their babies. At the Deli Tua Health Center, Deli Serdang Regency, out of a total of 572 babies aged 6-9 months, only 12 babies or 14.1% received exclusive breastfeeding.
This study aims to analyze the influence of the characteristics of breastfeeding mothers on the success of the exclusive breastfeeding program in the Deli Tua Health Center in 2017. Understanding the factors that contribute to the success of exclusive breastfeeding is crucial in developing effective interventions to promote breastfeeding practices . This study uses a survey method with the Explanatory Research approach, which is designed to explain the relationship between the characteristics of breastfeeding mothers and the success of the exclusive ASI program.
Methodology
From the population of 572 mothers who have babies aged 6-9 months, as many as 85 respondents were chosen randomly to be sampled. In data analysis, logistics regression methods are used to find out which factors are the most influential on the success of this program. The logistics regression test is a statistical method used to analyze the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables . The results showed that of the 85 respondents, only 14.1% succeeded in providing exclusive breastfeeding, while the other 85.9% did not.
Results
Logistics regression test revealed that some variables have a significant influence on the success of the exclusive breastfeeding program. Mother's knowledge variables (p = 0.036), the habit of breastfeeding (p = 0.010), family support (p = 0.033), health workers' support (p = 0.008), and maternity (p = 0.028) proven to contribute positively . In particular, the support of health workers shows the value of Exp (B) of 11,890, making it a variable with the most significant influence on the success of the program.
Discussion
From the results of this study, it is expected that the Deli Tua Health Center can increase their support in providing information about the importance of breast milk through counseling to breastfeeding mothers. This effort is expected to increase mother's knowledge about breast milk and change traditional habits that tend to provide other food or drinks to babies . With these steps, the success of the exclusive ASI program in the Deli Tua Puskesmas working area is expected to be better achieved.
Conclusion
In the context of public health, the success of the exclusive breastfeeding program is very important to ensure that the baby gets optimal nutrition and immunological support needed to grow healthy. By increasing awareness and support for breastfeeding mothers, we can create a more conducive environment for good breastfeeding practices, which in turn will have a positive impact on overall public health . Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement effective interventions to promote breastfeeding practices, particularly in areas with low breastfeeding rates.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
The Deli Tua Health Center should increase their support in providing information about the importance of breast milk through counseling to breastfeeding mothers.
Health workers should provide regular support and guidance to breastfeeding mothers to help them overcome any challenges they may face.
The community should be educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
The government should develop and implement policies to support breastfeeding mothers, such as providing paid maternity leave and creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
Limitations
This study has several limitations that should be noted. The sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted in a specific region, which may limit the generalizability of the findings . Additionally, the study only examined the influence of mother's knowledge variables, the habit of breastfeeding, family support, health workers' support, and maternity on the success of the exclusive breastfeeding program. Other factors, such as socioeconomic status and education level, may also play a role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding .
Future Research Directions
Future research should aim to examine the influence of other factors on the success of exclusive breastfeeding, such as socioeconomic status and education level. Additionally, studies should be conducted in different regions and populations to increase the generalizability of the findings . Furthermore, interventions should be developed and implemented to promote breastfeeding practices, particularly in areas with low breastfeeding rates.
References
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). (2017). Breastfeeding and the Sustainable Development Goals.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Breastfeeding: A Guide for Health Workers.
Deli Tua Health Center. (2017). Annual Report.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Breastfeeding Mother Characteristics on the Success of Exclusive ASI Program at Deli Tua Puskesmas, Deli Serdang Regency in 2017
Q: What is the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life?
A: Exclusive breastfeeding is crucial for the first six months of life as it provides optimal nutrition and immunological support needed to grow healthy . Breast milk contains vital antibodies that help protect babies from infections and diseases.
Q: What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers?
A: Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mothers, including reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, helping with weight loss, and promoting bonding with the baby . Additionally, breastfeeding can also help mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.
Q: What are the factors that contribute to the success of exclusive breastfeeding?
A: The factors that contribute to the success of exclusive breastfeeding include mother's knowledge variables, the habit of breastfeeding, family support, health workers' support, and maternity . These factors play a significant role in determining the success of exclusive breastfeeding.
Q: What is the role of health workers in promoting breastfeeding practices?
A: Health workers play a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding practices by providing regular support and guidance to breastfeeding mothers . They can help mothers overcome any challenges they may face and provide them with the necessary information and resources to promote breastfeeding.
Q: How can the community support breastfeeding mothers?
A: The community can support breastfeeding mothers by educating them about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life . Additionally, the community can also provide a breastfeeding-friendly environment by creating spaces where mothers can breastfeed comfortably.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: This study has several limitations, including a relatively small sample size and a specific region . Additionally, the study only examined the influence of mother's knowledge variables, the habit of breastfeeding, family support, health workers' support, and maternity on the success of the exclusive breastfeeding program.
Q: What are the recommendations for future research?
A: Future research should aim to examine the influence of other factors on the success of exclusive breastfeeding, such as socioeconomic status and education level . Additionally, studies should be conducted in different regions and populations to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Q: What are the implications of this study for public health?
A: The success of the exclusive breastfeeding program is crucial for public health as it ensures that babies receive optimal nutrition and immunological support needed to grow healthy . By increasing awareness and support for breastfeeding mothers, we can create a more conducive environment for good breastfeeding practices, which in turn will have a positive impact on overall public health.
Q: What are the policy implications of this study?
A: The government should develop and implement policies to support breastfeeding mothers, such as providing paid maternity leave and creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces . Additionally, the government should also provide education and training programs for health workers to promote breastfeeding practices.
Q: What are the future directions for this research?
A: Future research should aim to develop and implement effective interventions to promote breastfeeding practices, particularly in areas with low breastfeeding rates . Additionally, studies should be conducted to examine the influence of other factors on the success of exclusive breastfeeding and to increase the generalizability of the findings.