Relationship Between Mother's Knowledge, Family Support And Support Of Health Workers By Giving Exclusive ASI In The Working Area Of the Belawan Puskesmas Medan City

Feb 28, 2025 by ADMIN 168 views

The Crucial Role of Family Support in Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Study in the Belawan Health Center

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding, or breastfeeding alone without the addition of food or other drinks during the first 6 months of life, plays a vital role in supporting the health and development of a baby. Unfortunately, exclusive breastfeeding achievements in the work area of the Belawan Health Center in Medan City are still low, only reaching 33.5% in 2020, far from the national target of 80%. To increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, it is essential to understand the factors that influence it. This study examines the relationship between mother's knowledge, family support, and support for health workers with exclusive breastfeeding.

The Importance of Understanding the Factors that Influence Exclusive Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding is a complex process that involves various factors, including mother's knowledge, family support, and support for health workers. Research has shown that these factors can significantly impact the success of exclusive breastfeeding. In this study, we investigated the relationship between these factors and exclusive breastfeeding in the work area of the Belawan Health Center.

Family Support: The Main Factor in Exclusive ASI Success

The results of this study showed that only family support had a significant relationship with the success of exclusive breastfeeding. This means that support from the family is crucial in helping mothers provide exclusive breastfeeding to their babies. Family support can take various forms, including emotional, practical, and information support.

Why is Family Support so Important?

Family support is essential for exclusive breastfeeding success because it provides mothers with the emotional, practical, and information support they need to breastfeed their babies. Emotional support from the family can help mothers feel more calm and confident in breastfeeding, while practical support can help them meet their daily needs, such as cooking, cleaning the house, or taking care of bigger children. Information support from the family can also help mothers find information about exclusive breastfeeding, such as the benefits of breast milk, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that may arise.

The Importance of the Role of Health Workers

Although this study did not show a significant relationship between health workers' support and exclusive breastfeeding, the role of health workers remains important in supporting breastfeeding mothers. Health workers can provide education about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that might arise. In addition, health workers can also provide counseling and emotional support for nursing mothers.

Efforts to Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding Achievements

Increasing exclusive breastfeeding achievements in the work area of Belawan Health Center requires a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should include:

Increased mother's knowledge: Educational programs about exclusive breastfeeding need to continue to be encouraged to increase mother's knowledge. Education can be done through various media, such as class of pregnant women, health counseling, leaflets, and video.
Strengthening the role of the family: It is essential to involve the family in supporting breastfeeding mothers. Educational programs for families, such as parenting and counseling classes, can help families understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and how to provide optimal support for nursing mothers.
Optimizing the role of health workers: Health workers must be proactive in providing counseling and support to breastfeeding mothers. In addition, health workers also need to improve their ability to provide information and education about exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Family support is a key factor in exclusive breastfeeding success. By increasing mother's knowledge, strengthening the role of the family, and optimizing the role of health workers, it is hoped that exclusive breastfeeding achievements in the work area of the Belawan Health Center can be increased and the health of the baby is guaranteed.

Recommendations

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

Increase mother's knowledge: Educational programs about exclusive breastfeeding should be continued to increase mother's knowledge.
Strengthen the role of the family: Educational programs for families, such as parenting and counseling classes, should be implemented to help families understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and how to provide optimal support for nursing mothers.
Optimize the role of health workers: Health workers should be proactive in providing counseling and support to breastfeeding mothers. In addition, health workers also need to improve their ability to provide information and education about exclusive breastfeeding.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of exclusive breastfeeding.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Longitudinal design: A longitudinal design should be used to capture the dynamic nature of exclusive breastfeeding.
Larger sample size: A larger sample size should be used to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Inclusion of other factors: Other factors, such as socioeconomic status and cultural background, should be included in the study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of exclusive breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Exclusive Breastfeeding and Family Support

Q: What is exclusive breastfeeding?

A: Exclusive breastfeeding is the practice of breastfeeding a baby without adding any other food or drink, including formula, water, or juice, during the first 6 months of life.

Q: Why is family support important for exclusive breastfeeding?

A: Family support is essential for exclusive breastfeeding success because it provides mothers with the emotional, practical, and information support they need to breastfeed their babies. Emotional support from the family can help mothers feel more calm and confident in breastfeeding, while practical support can help them meet their daily needs, such as cooking, cleaning the house, or taking care of bigger children. Information support from the family can also help mothers find information about exclusive breastfeeding, such as the benefits of breast milk, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that may arise.

Q: How can families support breastfeeding mothers?

A: Families can support breastfeeding mothers in various ways, including:

Emotional support: Providing emotional support, such as listening to the mother's concerns and offering reassurance, can help mothers feel more calm and confident in breastfeeding.
Practical support: Helping mothers with daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning the house, or taking care of bigger children, can give them more time and energy to focus on breastfeeding.
Information support: Helping mothers find information about exclusive breastfeeding, such as the benefits of breast milk, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that may arise, can also be helpful.

Q: What is the role of health workers in supporting breastfeeding mothers?

A: Health workers play a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding mothers by providing education about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that might arise. In addition, health workers can also provide counseling and emotional support for nursing mothers.

Q: How can health workers support breastfeeding mothers?

A: Health workers can support breastfeeding mothers in various ways, including:

Providing education: Educating mothers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, correct breastfeeding techniques, and how to overcome problems that may arise can help them feel more confident and prepared.
Offering counseling: Providing counseling and emotional support can help mothers overcome challenges and feel more supported.
Improving information and education: Health workers should also improve their ability to provide information and education about exclusive breastfeeding to better support breastfeeding mothers.

Q: What are the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding?

A: Exclusive breastfeeding has numerous benefits for both mothers and babies, including:

Improved health: Exclusive breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of infections, allergies, and other health problems in babies.
Increased bonding: Exclusive breastfeeding can help mothers and babies bond more closely, which can lead to a stronger and more loving relationship.
Convenience: Exclusive breastfeeding can be more convenient than formula feeding, as it eliminates the need for formula, bottles, and other equipment.

Q: What are the challenges of exclusive breastfeeding?

A: Exclusive breastfeeding can be challenging for some mothers, including:

Lack of support: Mothers may not receive the emotional, practical, and information support they need to breastfeed successfully.
Difficulty with latching: Some mothers may experience difficulty with latching, which can make breastfeeding painful and uncomfortable.
Returning to work: Mothers who return to work may face challenges in continuing to breastfeed, such as finding a safe and private place to express milk and store it for later use.

Q: How can mothers overcome challenges with exclusive breastfeeding?

A: Mothers can overcome challenges with exclusive breastfeeding by:

Seeking support: Reaching out to family, friends, and healthcare providers for emotional, practical, and information support can help mothers feel more confident and prepared.
Practicing good breastfeeding technique: Learning correct breastfeeding techniques, such as proper latching and positioning, can help mothers overcome difficulties with latching and other challenges.
Finding a breastfeeding-friendly workplace: Mothers who return to work can look for a breastfeeding-friendly workplace that provides a safe and private place to express milk and store it for later use.