Nilai agama dan persepsi tentang praktik pemberian air susu ibu dua tahun: studi kualitatif di Aceh

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to explore the value and perception of two-year breastfeeding in Dewantara Sub-district, North Aceh Regency.

Method: The methodology employed in this study is qualitative research with phenomenology method. Research participants consist of eight mothers who has toddler over the age of two and two parents as supporting participants. The data is collected by in-depth interview, which will be analysed through phenomenology approach.

Results: This research finds that two-year breastfeeding is the recommendation and implementation of the religious value. However, the participant fails to provide breastfeeding because of a lack of knowledge of breastfeeding. The perceptions of breastfeeding still exist such as the breast milk is not coming out, the milk is insufficient for children’s needs, and longer breastfeeding contains blood and can reduce the intelligence of the children. These perceptions is the factors stopping breastfeeding. Also, there is a family tradition to stop for breastfeeding before a two-year-old child.

Conclusion: Health professional needs the effort to promote a two-year breastfeeding through coordination, collaboration, outreach, assistance, and reinforcement at the community level, Posyandu cadres, and religious leaders, to achieve the successful two-year breastfeeding. The government of North Aceh Regency needs to accelerate advocacy for issuing policy or Qanun that covers the protection and promotion of two-years breastfeeding program. This includes support and commitment from all stakeholders in order to escalate the scale of public health in North Aceh Regency.