Exclusive breastfeeding rate and factors associated with infant feeding practices in Indonesia
Abstract: Breast milk is the
ideal food for infants. According to the 2007 Indonesian National Household
Health Survey, only 23% of mothers exclusively breastfeed for six months.
Objectives To determine the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia,
to evaluate factors associated with infant feeding practices, and to compare
the nutritional and developmental status between exclusively-breastfed and
formula-fed infants.
Methods A survey was conducted in hospitals located in 17 provinces in
Indonesia. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was calculated. Many variables
were investigated as potential predictors for exclusive breastfeeding using a
multivariable logistic regression analysis. Further analysis was performed to
compare the nutritional and developmental status between exclusively breastfed
and formula-fed infants at the time of survey.
Results From 1,804 infant subjects, the overall rate of exclusive
breastfeeding was 46.3%, ranging from 10.5% in East Java to 66.9% in Jambi.
Predominant breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and formula feeding rates
were 14.3%, 8.6%, and 30.7%, respectively. Maternal unemployment was associated
with a longer duration of breastfeeding (P=0.000). There were significantly
more formula-fed infants who were undernourished compared to
exclusively-breastfed infants (14% vs. 8%, P=0.001). There were also
significantly more infants in the formula-fed group who had abnormal head
circumference compared to those in the exclusively-breastfed group (9% vs. 6%,
P=0.031). Child development, as assessed by the Pre-screening Developmental
Questionnaire, was similar between the two groups (P=0.996).
Conclusion The overall rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia is
46.3%. Maternal unemployment is associated with longer duration of
breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfed infants have significant better growth and
head circumference compared to formula fed infants, while the development is
similar between the two groups.
Author: Yovita Ananta, Ellen
Gandaputra, Elina Waiman, I Gusti Ayu Nyoman Partiwi, Nanis Sacharina Marzuki,
Elizabeth Yohmi, Eveline Panjaitan, Hanifah Oswari, Badriul Hegar
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160021
