Bioquímica y fisiología: acceso abierto

Abstracto

Obstacles of Breastfeeding Contributed to Stunted Children Status in Barru Regency, South Sulawesi

Lyidia Fanny

Obstacles of breastfeeding towards height of children aged 0-6 were investigated. The purpose of this study was to analyze relationship between obstacles of breast-feeding with the height status of children. This study was a survey research with cross sectional study design. Sample sizes were 201 children, selected systematically and randomly from 15 villages in Barru Regency, South Sulawesi. Nutritional status of children obtained through anthropometric measurements using seca for weight and fixation board for height. The tools used were in good condition and had been previously calibrated. Nutritional intake was obtained using 24-hours recall with multi-pass consumption method. The numerators were nutritionist, while the supervisor worked as lecturer at nutrition department, Health Polytechnic Makassar. This study had been approved by internal ethics committee at nutrition department. Statistical analysis was done using Chi Square with 95% significance.

The results showed that 81% of respondents worked as housewives, 26.9% graduated from secondary education, 65.7% had 1-5 family members per household, 67.7% had lower energy intake, 50.7% had lower protein intake, 42.8% had lower intake of vitamin A, and 80% for low of zinc intake respectively. Nutritional status were in accordance to the index of weight/height, height/age and weight/age, 10.4% were in severe thinness, 12.4% stunted and 2.6% severe malnutrition. The results of statistical analysis showed that there is a relationship between the obstacles of breastfeeding with height status of children (p<0.002).

Recommendation from this study are to put more intensive efforts from stakeholders to locate lactation counselors and motivator of breastfeeding in each primary health care and optimalized giving of vitamin A for breastfeeding mother also giving of food that rich of zinc in Barru, such as fish.