Last modified: 2019-09-11
Abstract
Early marriage in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, is quite high. This has the potential for a high risk of young mothers not to breastfeed their babies due to various kinds of limitations. The role of husbands can influence the success of exclusive breastfeeding to their babies. This study aims to analyze the relationship of the husband's characteristics (age, education, occupation, income, knowledge, attitude, and support) with exclusive breastfeeding for adolescent mothers. This cross-sectional study involved 233 teenage mothers who had babies aged 6-12 months in the Boyolali Regency area. Most of the husbands are teenagers (59.2%), low educated (58.3%), work (94.6%), low income (55.2%), lack of knowledge (51.6%), negative attitudes (52.5%), and support exclusive breastfeeding (53.8%). The majority of young mothers live with large families (> 4 people) (83.9%) and do not give exclusive breastfeeding to their babies (52%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis is used to identify independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among teenage mothers. Husband’s income [AOR: 3.3,(95% CI: 1.804-6.022)], knowledge [AOR: 2.1,(95% CI: 1.147-3.963)], and support [AOR: 2.6,(95% CI: 1.408-4.896)] were independently associated with exclusive breastfeeding among teenage mothers in Boyolali. The teenage mothers need special attention from their husband during breastfeeding.