Social, Cultural, and Psychological Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Cross-Sectional Study in Gorontalo

Authors

  • Firdausi Ramadhani Program Studi Magister Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Gorontalo
  • Rahmawati Program Studi Magister Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Gorontalo
  • Ririn Pakaya Program Studi Magister Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Gorontalo
  • Rifai Ali Program Studi Magister Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Gorontalo
  • Marselia Sandalayuk Program Studi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Gorontalo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36568/jone.v4i3.738

Keywords:

Exclusive Breastfeeding, Formula Milk Promotion, Husband Support, Infant Nutrition, Maternal Stress

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the most effective strategies to support infant nutritional status and prevent nutritional problems during early childhood. However, the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in the working area of Tilango Public Health Center remains low, indicating the need to identify factors associated with breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to analyze the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers with infants aged 7–12 months in the Tilango Public Health Center area, Gorontalo Regency. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted from January to May 2026. The study involved 152 mothers selected using total sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that only 27.0% of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding, while 73.0% did not. Formula milk promotion was significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices (p=0.003; OR=4.22). Husband support was also significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.004; OR=2.99), indicating that mothers who received good husband support were approximately three times more likely to provide exclusive breastfeeding than those with poor support. In contrast, maternal stress level (p=0.681) and cultural factors (p=0.649) were not significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices. This study concludes that formula milk promotion and husband support are significant determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices in the Tilango Public Health Center area. Strengthening family involvement, particularly husband support, and improving breastfeeding promotion programs are essential to increase exclusive breastfeeding coverage.

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Published

2026-08-07

How to Cite

Ramadhani, F., Rahmawati, Pakaya, R., Ali, R., & Sandalayuk, M. (2026). Social, Cultural, and Psychological Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Cross-Sectional Study in Gorontalo. Journal of Nutrition Explorations, 4(3), 386–399. https://doi.org/10.36568/jone.v4i3.738

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): August

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Firdausi Ramadhani, Rahmawati, Ririn Pakaya, Rifai Ali, Marselia Sandalayuk

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