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182
BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS’ KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS ON
GIVING EXCLUSIVE MOTHERS’ MILK TO 0-6 MONTHS OLD
INFANTS
Aurelia de Araujo
*
, Aniceto da C. Pacheco, Levi Anatolia S.M. Exposto
University of Peace
anis.pacheco123@gmail.com
Abstract
The composition of breast milk is suitable for the needs of the baby and contains protective substances with
the most content in Colustrum. The problems are the mothers’ lack of knowledge, the onslaught of formula
milk promotion, lack of support from health workers, etc. The method in this study is a descriptive
quantitative, croossectional approach. The population in this study was 120 Breastfeeding Mothers, the
samples were 30 Breastfeeding Mothers, the technique was random sampling. Some techniques analyze
correlation data with results the relationship between knowledge (X1), strong classification level, behavior
(X2) sufficient classification level and breastfeeding (Y), strong classification level. Based on statistical
calculations carried out that the mother's knowledge and behavior is related to exclusive breastfeeding in
infants aged 0-6 months. This statement is seen in the statistical results that t
count
> t
table
8.88> 3.35. From the
results of the calculation above it turns out F
count
> F
tabel
or 8.88> 3.35 then reject Ho and accept Ha means,
there is a significant relationship of knowledge and behavior of the mother towards exclusive breastfeeding
in infants aged 0-6 months. So, statistically prove that knowledge and behavior have a significant impact on
exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months.
Keywords: Knowledge, Behavior, Exclusive Mother’s Milk
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
INTRODUCTION
At this time many mothers who provide a replacement food for breast milk before the baby
is 6 months old (Soekanto, 2010). Breast milk should be best given from the age of 0-6 months
without any additional food. If forced to consume other than breast milk does not rule out the
possibility that the baby can get sick. This can cause the baby's immunity to decrease (Widuri,
2013). In terms of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months proved to reduce infant
mortality (AKB) and maternal mortality (AKI) which is an indicator of health (Fitriani, 2011).
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age. After that
the child should be given solid and semi-solid foods as additional foods in addition to breast
milk (Hastono, 2006). Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the efforts to reduce the prevalence of
infant mortality in Indonesia. The more babies who get exclusive breast milk, can improve the
quality of the baby's health. Breast milk plays a role in the formation of the baby's immune
system, and exclusive breast milk to the baby can help reduce fat in women during pregnancy
(Fadlliyyah, 2015).
The phenomenon that is happening in most breastfeeding mothers does not give breast
milk exclusion to babies, due to lack of knowledge and unhealthy behavior. Robert Kwick in
Notoatmodjo (2007) that behavior is the action or deed of an organism that can be observed
and even studied. Knowledge is the sharing of symptoms encountered and acquired by humans
through the observation. Knowledge arises when a person uses his senses or mind to regard
certain objects or events that have never been seen or felt before.
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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183 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
Knowledge has an important role in the behavior of the mother. The mother's knowledge
of exclusive breast milk will bring a deep understanding to the mother about the good or bad
impact of exclusively breastfeeding (Soetjiningsih, 2012). Maternal behavior in infant feeding
has been shown to be a stronger independent predictor of breastfeeding initiation. In addition,
the positive behavior of mothers towards breastfeeding is associated with continuing to
breastfeed longer and have a greater chance of success (Eugenie, Batlejeri, & Napitupulu, 2015).
East Timor is one of the countries in southeast Asia and only gained independence in 2002
consisting of 13 Municipio, 65 Posto Administrativo, 442 Suco and 2,229 Aldeia. Timor-Leste
is one of the developing countries with so much mass faced by the community, one of which
is the mass exclusive breastfeeding due to lack of knowledge about breast milk. Exclusive and
behavior of pregnant women who do not breastfeed regularly.
Based on national data in Ministério da Saúde Timor Leste (MS-TL), Departemento
Sistema Informasaun Saúde (SIS) in 2014 (January-December) mothers who provide exclusive
breast milk to infants aged 0-6 months as much as 11,889 with 49,101%. In 2015 the number
of mothers who gave exclusive breast milk to babies aged 0-6 months was 12,324 or 50,898%.
Municipio (District) Dili in 2014 the number of mothers who gave exclusive breast milk
to babies aged 0-6 months as much as 1991 with 45.97% (da Conceição, 2009). In 2015 the
number of mothers who gave exclusive breast milk to babies aged 0-6 months as much as 2340
or 54.02%. Looking at the problem, the main focus in this study was to find out the relationship
between knowledge and behavior of breastfeeding mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in
infants aged 0-6 months in Aimutin Village, Comoro Village, Sub-District Dom-Aleixo, Dili
District, Timor-Leste.
METHOD
The research method used in this research is quantitative descriptive research with a cross-
sectional approach. This research can be done in Aimutin village, Comoro Village, Dom Aleixo
Village, Dili District in 2016. The population in this study the number of Breastfeeding
Mothers in Aimutin camp as many as 120 mothers. The sample in the study was a portion of
the population of 30 mothers. The data analysis technique in this study is a double correlation.
This research also establishes the discipline or ethics of research including nameless,
confidential and anonymity (Arikunto, 2006).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Distribution of Data
Table 1. Distribution of respondent frequency by age in Aldeia Ai-Mutin in 2016
No.
Age
Sum
Percentage (%)
1
15 – 20
2
7
2
21 – 25
4
13
3
26 – 30
11
36
4
>31
13
43
Total
30
100
Source: Primary data, 2016
Based on table 1, it shows that most respondents aged >31 years, which is 13 (43%) people.
While a small percentage aged 15-20 years, which is as many as 2 (7%) people.
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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Type of Job
Table 2. Distribution of respondents’ frequency based on type of job in Aldeia Ai-Mutin in 2016
No
Type of work
Sum
Percentage (%)
1
Private
15
50
2
State officials
6
20
3
Not working
9
30
Total
30
100
Source: Primary data, 2016
Table 2 shows that most respondents with private jobs are 15 (50%) people. While a small
percentage of civil servant jobs are 6 (20%) people.
The Latest Education
Table 3. Distribution of respondent frequency by Type of trial in Aldeia Ai-Mutin in 2016
No
Level of education
Sum
Percentage
(%)
1
BH
0
0
2
Elementary School
5
17
3
Junior High School
10
33
4
Senior High School
13
43
5
University
2
7
Total
30
100
Source: Primary data, 2016
Table 3 shows that most of the respondents were educated at senior high school with the
amount of 13 (43%) people while university graduates were 2 (7%).
Religion
Table 4. Distribution of respondents' frequency by type of religion in Aldeia Ai-Mutin in 2016
No
Religion
Sum
Percentage (%)
1
Catholic
24
80
2
Protestan
4
13
3
Islamic
2
7
4
Buddhist
0
0
Total
30
100
Source: Primary data, 2016
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Based on the table 4, it shows that the majority of respondents with catholic religion as
many as 24 (80%) people. While a small percentage with the religion of Islam as many as 2
(7%) people.
Table 5. Correlation Coefficient (Absolute Value)
Correlation Coefficient
Degree of Relation
0 - 0,25
Nothing / weak
0,25 - 0,50
Enough
0,50 – 0,75
Strong
0,75 – 1,00
Very strong
Source: Data from Riduwan, 2004
Data Description
Based on the results of primary data processing on the relationship between knowledge of
X1 and Behavior as X2 and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Infants 0-6 Months as Variable Y, thus
obtaining the following results:
1) For variable X
1
knowledge, the average mean value is 12, modus 15, median 13,
standard deviation 2.10, minimum from data 7 and maximum from data 15, range 8,
total score 389, and N total value is 30.
2) For variable X
2
behavior obtains a mean average value of 10, Mode 9, Median 9,
standard deviation 3.10, minimum of data 5 and maximum from data 15, range 10,
total score 303, and N total value is 30.
3) For the variable Y exclusive breast milk for infants by the mean average value of 5.8,
mode 5, median 6, standard deviation 0.79, the minimum of data 5 and maximum of
data 7, range 2, total score 175, and the value of N is 30.
Table 6. Respondent Data between Variables X
1,
X
2
and Y
Variable
Mean
Median
Mode
Min
Max
Ran
SD
N
Sum
Knowledge X
1
12
13
15
7
15
8
2.10
30
389
Behavior X
2
10
9
9
5
15
10
3.10
30
303
Exclusive Breast
Milk Y
5.8
6
5
5
7
2
0.79
30
175
Source: Primary Data Processing, 2016
Variable Correlation Analysis
Based on the attached table, the researcher calculated the statistics using the following
double correlation steps.
Making H
a
and H
o
in Sentences
Ha: There is a significant relationship between maternal knowledge and behavior towards
exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro,
Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016.
H
o:
There is no significant relationship between maternal knowledge and behavior towards
exclusive breastfeeding in Infants Aged 0-6 Months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro,
Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016.
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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186 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
Makes H
0
and H
a
in Statistics
H
a
: r ≠ 0
H
0
: r = 0
Create a Supporting Table to Calculate Double Correlation
Table 7. Multiple Correlation Supporting Table
Statistical
Symbols
SX
1
SX
2
SY
SX
1
2
SX
2
2
ΣAN
D
2
ΣX
1
Y
ΣX
2
Y
SX
1
X
2
Total
389
303
175
5173
3339
1039
2295
1808
4033
Data source: Recapitulation of raw data converted into standard data
Calculating the Correlation Between Knowledge (X
1
) on Exclusive Breastfeeding on
Infants Aged 0-6 Months (Y)
There is a relationship between knowledge to exclusive breastfeeding of infants aged 0-6
months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili
in 2016.
Table 8. Summary of Statistics X
1
against Y
Statistical Symbols
Statistical Value
N
30
SX
1
389
SY
175
SX
1
2
5173
SY
2
1039
ΣX
1
Y
2295
Source: Primary data, 2016
The relationship between maternal knowledge variables (X
1
) and exclusive breastfeeding
in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is strong. As for stating the small contribution of Variable X
1
to Y or coeffecient determinant = r
2
x100% or 0.532x100% = 28.09% while the remaining
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
Infants
187 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
71.91% contacted by other variables. Next to find out the signification of X
1
with Y calculated
with the f
count
test is as follows.
Testing criteria:
If f
count
> f
table,
then the correlation of X
1
with Y is significant. With the provision of α =
0.05 dk = n – 2 - 1 = 30 – 2 – 1 = 27
F
count
= F
(1-α){(dk = k),(dk = n – k – 1)}
F
count
= F
{(1-0,05)(dk=1),(dk=30-2-1)}
= F
{(0,95) (2; 27)}
F
table
= 3.35
The relationship between maternal knowledge variables (X1) and exclusive breastfeeding
in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is relatively strong because it is seen based on the correlation
coefficient that states that the value of 0.50-0.75 is strong with the result of the correlation
coefficient obtained by the researcher is 0.53. Hence, it turns out that f
count
> f
tabel
or 3.89 > 3.35
then there is a significant relationship between maternal knowledge (X1) to exclusive
breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y).
Calculating correlation between maternal behavior (X
2
) against exclusive breastfeeding
on infants aged 0-6 months (Y)
There is a relationship between maternal behavior towards exclusive breastfeeding in
Infants aged 0-6 months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo,
Municipio Dili in 2016.
Table 9. Summary of Statistics X
2
on Y
Symbol
Statistics
Statistical
Value
N
30
SX
2
303
SY
175
SX
2
2
3339
SY
2
1039
ΣX
2
Y
1808
Source: Primary data, 2016
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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188 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
The relationship between maternal behavior variables (X2) and exclusive breastfeeding in
infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is quite strong. Based on these results to state the small
contribution (Contribution) of Variable X2 to Y or determinant coefesien = r2x100% or
0.582x100% = 33.64% while the remaining 66.36% contacted by other variables. Next to find
out the signification of X2 with Y calculated with the f
count
test as follows.
Criteria:
If f
count
>f
table,
then the correlation of X
2
with Y is significant. With the provision of α = 0.05
dk = n – 2 –1 = 30 – 2–1 = 28
F
tabel
= F
(1-α){(dk = k),(dk = n – k – 1)}
F
table
= F
{(1-0,05)(dk=2),(dk=30-2-1)}
= F
{(0,95) (2; 27)}
F
table
=3.35
The relationship between maternal behavior variables (X
2
) and exclusive breastfeeding in
infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is relatively strong because it is seen based on the correlation
coefficient that states that the value of 0.50-0.75 is strong with the result of the correlation
coefficient obtained by the researcher is 0.58. Hence, it turns out that f
count
>f
table
or 4.62>3.35
then there is a significant meaning that there is a significant relationship between maternal
behavior (X
2
) to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y).
Calculating the Correlation between Knowledge (X
1
) and Behavior (X
2
) to Exclusive
Breastfeeding in Infants Aged 0-6 Months (Y)
There is a relationship between knowledge and behavior of mothers towards exclusive
breastfeeding of infants aged 0-6 months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto
Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016.
Table 10. Summary of Statistics X
1
with X₂
Statistical
Symbol
Statistical
Value
N
30
SX
1
389
SX
2
303
SX
1
²
5173
SX
2
²
3339
SX
1
X₂
4033
Source: Primary data, 2016
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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189 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
The relationship between knowledge variables (X
1
) and behavior (X
2
) to exclusive
breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is strong. As for stating the small contribution of
Variable X1 to X2 or determinant coefesien = r2x100% or 0.542x100% = 29.16% while the
remaining 70.84% contacted by other variables. Next to find out the signification of X
1
with
X
2
is calculated with the f
count
formula as follows.
Criteria:
If t
calculates
> t
table,
then the correlation of X
1
with X
2
is significant. With the provision of α =
5% dk = n – 2 = 30 – 2 – 1 = 27
F
count
= F
(1-α){(dk = k),(dk = n – k – 1)}
F
count
= F
{(1-0,05)(dk=2),(dk=30-2-1)}
= F
{(0,95) (2; 27)}
F
count
= 3.35
The relationship between the knowledge variable (X1) and the behavior (X2) of the mother
to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is quite sufficient because it is seen
based on the correlation coefficient which states that the value of 0.50-0.75 is strong with the
result of the correlation coefficient obtained by the researcher is 0.54. So that it turns out that
f
count
>f
table
or 4.03>3.35 then significant means there is a significant relationship between
knowledge (X
1
) and behavior (X
2
)
.
Calculating the Correlation between Knowledge (X
1
) and Behavior (X
2
) to Exclusive
Breastfeeding on Infants Aged 0-6 Months (Y)
There is a relationship between knowledge and behavior of mothers towards exclusive
breastfeeding of infants aged 0-6 months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto
Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016.
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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190 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
Formulating Correlation Values among Variables and Double Correlations (RX
1.
X
2.
Y)
Table 11. Summary of Statistics X
1
and X
2
with Y
Statistical Symbol
Statistical
Value
r
x1Y
0,53
r
x2Y
0,58
r
x1X2
0,54
Source: Primary data, 2016
The relationship between knowledge and maternal behavior towards exclusive
breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months, is classified as strong contribution simultaneously
r
2
x100% = 0.632x100% = 39.69%. The remaining 60.31% were contacted by other variables.
Visitingi Significance with F
count
Formula
The relationship between the knowledge variable (X
1
) and maternal behavior (X
2
) to
exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) is relatively strong because it is seen
based on the correlation coefficient which states that the value of 0.50-0.75 is strong with the
result of the correlation coefficient obtained by researchers is 0.63. After it was calculated that
Fhitung > Ftabel or 8.88 > 3.35 then Ho was rejected and Ha accepted that means, there is a
significant relationship between knowledge and behavior of mothers towards exclusive
breastfeeding of infants aged 0-6 months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto
Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016.
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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191 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
There is a Significant Relationship between Mother's Breastfeeding on Infants Aged 0-6
Months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio
Dili, 2016
Based on the results of the study showed overall respondents' knowledge of exclusive
breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months. Knowledge is a measure or consideration, so
researchers have tested with the formula calculated the magnitude of the relationship of
knowledge mother (X
1
)
to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y) which is
calculated with the value of the correlation coefficient is 0.53 or (rX
1
Y = 0.53). This indicates
that, the determinant coefficient = r
2
x 100% or 0.532 x100% = 28.09% while the remaining
71.91% is contacted by other variables. Furthermore, to find out the significant knowledge of
the mother (X1) to exclusive breastfeeding at the age of 0-6 months (Y) is calculated by the
calculation-test formula then it turns out that f
count
> F
table
or 3.89>3.35 then it means that there
is a significant relationship between maternal knowledge (X
1
) to exclusive breastfeeding in
infants aged 0-6 months (Y). Based on these results, it is important knowledge of mothers
towards exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months.
There is a Significant Relationship between Mothers’ Behavior with Exclusive
Breastfeeding in Infants Aged 0-6 Months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro, Posto
Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili in 2016
Based on tabulation that has been tested with the f
count
formula the magnitude of mothers’
behavioral relationship (X
2
) to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months. (Y) is
calculated with the correlation coefficient value is 0.58 or (rX
2
Y = 0.58). This suggests that
there is a significant relationship of maternal behavior. Coefficient determinant = r
2
x 100% or
0.58
2
x 100% = 33.64% while the remaining 66.36% contacted by other variables. Furthermore,
to find outthe signification of X
2
with Y with the test-f-count formula turns out to be f
count
>f
table
or 4.03>3.35 then it means that there is a significant relationship between maternal behavior
(X
2
) to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months (Y). Thus, it can be concluded that
the behavior of the people in Aldeia Ai-Mutin in 2016. Generally, the mother's behavior is
strongly related to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months.
There is a Significant Relationship between Knowledge and Mother's Behavior with
Exclusive Breastfeeding on Infants Aged 0-6 Months in Aldeia Ai-Mutin, Suco Comoro,
Posto Administrativo Dom Aleixo, Municipio Dili, 2016
Based on the results of the tabulation above after looking for a double correlation between
variables the value is 0,63 or (R
X1X2Y
= 0.63) and contributions simultaneously between
variables X
1
X
2
Y with the formula r
2
x100% = 0.63
2
x100%= 39.69% and 60.31% is determined
by other variables. After testing the significance value with the test formula F
count
with the value
8.88 and F
table
is 3.35 After being calculated it turns out that F
count
> F
table
or 8.88>3.35. Then
H
o
rejected and H
a
accept means there is a significant relationship between knowledge and
behavior of mothers towards giving exclusive breast milk on infants aged 0-6 months.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the data analysis using multiple linear regression tests showed a
statistically significant relationship between the knowledge and behavior of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Mothers’ Knowledge and Behaviors on Giving Exclusive Mothers’ Milk to 0-6 Months Old
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192 Vol. 1, No. 3, December 2021
mothers to exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 and to improve maternal knowledge,
attitudes, and behavior in exclusive breastfeeding to infants, the government, especially the
Nutrition program section at the Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
should promote exclusive breast milk more intensive, and make messages and information that
are simple but easy to digest and understand by the general public.
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