ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHERS' KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AND CULTURAL VALUES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING TO TODDLERS AGED 07-59 MONTHS IN THE WORKING AREA OF THE GEUREUDONG PASE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, NORTH ACEH REGENCY

Abstract

The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia remains high compared to other countries. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mothers' knowledge and cultural values ​​and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for toddlers aged 7–59 months in the Geureudong Pase Community Health Center (UPTD) working area, North Aceh Regency. This study used a descriptive, correlative design with a cross-sectional approach. The study subjects were 34 mothers with children aged 7–59 months, selected using a proportional random sampling technique. Data collection was conducted through structured interviews using a validated questionnaire. Data analysis included univariate descriptions to describe respondent characteristics, and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of α = 0.05.

The results revealed that the majority of respondents had secondary education (junior high school–senior high school), worked as farmers, and earned less than two million rupiah per month. Seventy-three percent of mothers with low knowledge also reported suboptimal exclusive breastfeeding practices. A chi-square test showed a significant association between maternal knowledge and exclusive breastfeeding, with a p-value of 0.003 (less than 0.05). Furthermore, there was a highly significant association between cultural values ​​and exclusive breastfeeding, with a p-value of 0.000 (less than 0.05). Interestingly, mothers with positive cultural values ​​were largely inconsistent in implementing exclusive breastfeeding, while mothers with negative cultural values ​​were more likely to do so. This suggests that cultural understanding does not always align with appropriate health practices.

There was a significant association between maternal knowledge and cultural values ​​and exclusive breastfeeding in toddlers aged 7–59 months in the Geureudong Pase Community Health Center (UPTD) work area, North Aceh Regency. Therefore, increasing knowledge and changing cultural attitudes that support exclusive breastfeeding are crucial to preventing stunting.

Keywords : Stunting, Knowledge, Cultural Values, Exclusive Breastfeeding