Breastfeeding and the Risk for Diarrhea Morbidity Among Children in Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: Breastmilk is essential nutrition for a baby. Lack of exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-6 months of age is associated with increased diarrhea morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the history of breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months and the incidence of diarrhea at the age of 0-12 months. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in hospitalized children at the Kraton and Brendan Hospitals, Pekalongan Regency. The sampling technique was consecutive sampling, and a total of respondents were 122. Data analysis used Pearson Correlation. Result: Demographic characteristics found the average maternal age was 31.84 years (SD 7.063), employment status was 82.7% not working, the education status was 46.7% low education, frequency of ANC in pregnancy at least four times was 86.9%, and sex of the child was 60% male. The analysis results showed that the average duration of breastfeeding was 3.17 months, and the average incidence of diarrhea was 0.93 times. The Pearson correlation test obtained a p value of 0.001 with a correlation value of -0.364. Conclusion: There is a relationship between the history of exclusive breastfeeding and the average incidence of diarrhea in infants aged 0-12 months, and the longer infants aged 0-6 months given only breast milk, they have a lower risk of diarrhea.