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Maternal, Perinatal and Pediatric Nutrition (Poster Session)

(P10-042-24) Key Risk Factors for Unsuccessful Exclusive Breastfeeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bantul Regency, Indonesia

Sunday, June 30, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 536
Objectives: Stunting among children in Indonesia remains a significant public health problem, and is predicted to rise due to a long-term result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic without protection from a high rate of exclusive breastfeeding. Understanding key risk factors that may increase unsuccessful breastfeeding in the context of COVID-19 is, then, very important. The specific objective of this study was to examine risk factors associated with unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding during the height of the pandemic in Indonesia.

Methods: We performed a case-control study among 263 children aged 6 – 12 months, with case group subjects not being exclusively breastfed, and control group subjects being exclusively breastfed. Chi-square was used to compare subjects’ characteristics, and logistic regression modelling was used to explore significant factors associated with unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding.

Results: Several factors were found to be related to unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding, including mothers’ occupation (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.1 – 3.9), mothers having been infected with COVID-19 (OR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.2 – 9.0), children being cared for by caregivers other than their biological mothers (OR=3.8, 95% CI: 1.9 – 7.2), and mothers giving their child the colostrum immediately after delivery (OR=0,082, 95% CI: 0,02 – 0,32). Furthermore, logistic regression analyses indicated that mothers’ feelings of anxiety were associated with unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding in combination with other risk factors.

Conclusions: This study identifies and examines several notable risk factors that may hinder exclusive breastfeeding for Indonesian women since the COVID-19 outbreak. Understanding the role of the pandemic in impacting these risk factors is crucial for planning future interventions to improve exclusive breastfeeding and childhood stunting in this setting.

Funding Sources: Ministry of Education, the Republic of Indonesia and the University of Alma Ata