The promotion of breastfeeding is one of essential interventions for reduction of
infant mortality and improving infant development worldwide. Infants who do not obtain
six months exclusive breastfeeding are risk of infection and malnutrition. In fact, the
practice of six months exclusive breastfeeding is still poor. In 2006, prevalence of exclusive
breastfeeding was in Kabupaten Sragen relatively low (50.36%), especially in Puskesmas
Sambungmacan I (16.36%).
This study was aimed to find out the correlation between knowledge and attitude of
mother with practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
This research was analytic study which used a cross sectional design. The sample
was taken using simple randomize sampling. The data was collected by using techniques of
interview. A questionnaire that evaluated knowledge and attitude of mother was used. The
respondents were mothers who have infants aged 6 – 12 months in Puskesmas
Sambungmacan I, Kabupaten Sragen. Variables were described using frequency
distribution for catagorical variables and mean and standart deviation for continuous
variables. The distribution of exclusive breastfeeding practices by independent variables
was tested using the Chi square and T test, and binary logistic regression analyze was used
to evaluate the dominant factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding.
Having analised the data, of the 120 interviewed mother, 57% were exclusive
breastfeeders. Practice of exclusive breastfeeding was not significantly affected by
mother’s knowledge (p=0.108, OR=1.81 CI 95%: 0.88-3.74). Attitude’s mother was
significantly increased practice of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.006, OR=2.81, CI 95%:
1.34-5.91). The confounding factors that influenced practice of exclusive breastfeeding
were family support (p=0.000, OR=12, CI 95%: 4.90-29.37) and midwife support
(p=0.026, OR=2.57, CI 95%: 1.12-5.91).
As a conclusion, researcher suggested the importance of taking into account the
confounding factor influence of exclusive breastfeeding in planning community health
programs e.g. family and midwife influence and strengthening implementations ten steps to
succesfull breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding
