Increasing Mothers’ Knowledge of Infant and Young Child Feeding through Booklets in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Stunting is caused in part by feeding behavior in infants and young children. Knowledge is the most important factor in shaping one's attitude and behavior, particularly when it comes to infants and young children feeding. This study aims to find out how the mothers’ knowledge of infant and child feeding could be increased through booklets in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.
 Method:
 This study is a quasi-experimental non-randomized study with pre and post-test only control design. Study was conducted in Jayabakti Village, Banggai Regency. Sample consisted of 40 mothers of children under five collected with purposive sampling method from October to December 2020. At the local Integrated Health Service Post, booklets were distributed once a month as part of the study intervention. Over the duration of the three-month study period, booklets were distributed three times. The used booklets were the modified version of the WHO-developed Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling: An Integrated Course. The mean difference was used to compare the results of the pre- and post-tests on knowledge of infant and young child feeding. The hypothesis test was applied with a 95% confidence level of 0.05.
 Result: The respondents with ages ranging between 15 and 20 were 42.5%. Mothers graduated from senior high schools were 45%. Mothers that had three children were 55.0%. Family income was 586,000 rupiahs in average. After the booklets distribution for three months, there was an increase in the mothers’ knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding. The older the mother's age, the better her knowledge (p=0,015). Factors of children's age and mother's education did not have a significant effect.
 Conclusion:
 Mothers knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding at Banggai Regency Central of Sulawesi is generally good. After using the booklets, their knowledge has increased. With time, the mother's knowledge expands. Formal education has no significant effect on infants and young children nutrition knowledge

The Effect of Booklet Education on Mothers' Knowledge Related to Stunting

“…Preventive measures against stunting are more likely to be implemented by mothers who possess knowledge regarding its dangers and consequences (Wardani et al, 2022).Education is conducted to equip mothers with the necessary knowledge to prevent or reduce stunting (Mistry et al, 2018). The power of booklets to provide mothers with information that is both tangible and easily attainable contributes to the efficacy of educational interventions employing them (Melangka et al, 2021). Booklets provide structured and visually appealing material that can effectively convey key messages about stunting prevention (Lima et al, 2022;Melangka et al, 2021;Wild et al, 2019).…”

“…The power of booklets to provide mothers with information that is both tangible and easily attainable contributes to the efficacy of educational interventions employing them (Melangka et al, 2021). Booklets provide structured and visually appealing material that can effectively convey key messages about stunting prevention (Lima et al, 2022;Melangka et al, 2021;Wild et al, 2019).…”

“…Booklets are media that can be used to educate mothers about stunting (Melangka et al, 2021). Booklets serve as valuable tools for patient education, providing structured and easily understandable information on different health topics (Lima et al, 2022).…”

Knowledge and Attitudes Relating to Barotrauma Incidents, Fishermen Communities in Buko Village, Banggai District, Central Sulawesi Islands

“…This knowledge has an impact on occupational disorders and diseases on dives 10 . Tradition (culture) affects knowledge because someone who has a good culture will have good knowledge, but if the social culture is not good then the knowledge will be poor 11 . When viewed from the age of the respondents, it can be said that they are still productive, have higher enthusiasm, will, and abilities 12 .…”