FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS WITH INFANTS 6-12 MONTHS OLD AT PURWASARI VILLAGE, KARAWANG REGENCY, IN 2023.

Abstract

Based on the results of preliminary studies conducted at the Purwasari Health Center in the Purwasari Village working area, it was discovered that the percentage of infants who exclusively breastfed in October 2022 was 31%, in November 2023 it was 36%, in December it was 24%, in January it was 28%, in February it decreased by 26%, and in March it decreased once more to 17.2%. This study had a sample of 59 people with purposive sampling technique, using quantitative methods with cross sectional design. This study used primary and secondary data collection methods obtained through interviews and observations using questionnaires and data at the Puskesmas and posyandu. The study obtained the proportion of exclusive breastfeeding, the highest proportion was not exclusive breastfeeding as many as 48 respondents (81.4%). Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding are maternal knowledge (p-value=0.40), age (p-value=0.33), education (p-value= 0.46), employment (p-value=0.11), and family support (p-value=0.37). Knowledge, age, education, occupation, and family support have a significant relationship with exclusive breastfeeding among breastfeeding mothers. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended to increase knowledge and family support to the community through counseling to pregnant and lactating women.