Breastfeeding Patterns as a Determinant of Fertility in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Eventhough the fertility level in East Nusa Tenggara had decrease slightly during the last 10 years’ period, the fertility level in the area had still considered much higher than other provinces in Indonesia. However, the infertility index of breastfeeding in the Province had been the lowest in Indonesia, which revealed the breastfeeding duration in East Nusa Tenggara was the longest period in Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the association between maternal characteristics and breastfeeding behavior in East Nusa Tenggara Province in 2017. This study analized women who had children based on the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). The analysis used in this study includes univariable, bivariable, logistic regression analysis. After controlling for maternal characteristics variables, age, education and work status of the mother were found as the most contributed factors to breastfeeding behavior in East Nusa Tenggara Province in 2017.