THE IMPACTS OF BREASTFEEDING COUNSELINGBYKADER KESEHATAN (LAY HEALTH WORKERS) ON THE FIRST MONTH EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING (E1) AMONG BREAST FEEDING WOMEN IN DARUL IMARAH SUB-DISTRICT

Abstract

Background: The coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in Aceh Province is still low, with a median of
0.6 months (BPS & Macro International, 2007), while in DarulImarahSub-District, the figureis 0.5%
(Aceh Besar District Health Office, 2011). The involvement of kaderkesehatan (lay health workers) in
the programs of maternal and child health is very effective in reducing morbidity and mortality
through the promotion of breastfeeding practices.
Objective: To determine the impacts of counselinggiven by kaderkesehatan (lay health workers) on
the first month exclusive breastfeeding (E1) among breastfeedingwomen in DarulImarahSub-district.
Methods: This study was an experimental study with a controlled trial design. The subjects were the
third trimester pregnant women in DarulImarahSub-districttaken with two stage sampling technique.
Sixteen womenwere selected for each the intervention group and the control group. The primary data
collection was done by the health workers and enumerators to obtain data on exclusive breastfeeding
done at birth, one week after birth and during 1 month after birth. Data analysis usedStatasoftware
program, chi-square test, and RR (95% CI).
RESULTS: The proportion of the firstmonth exclusive breastfeeding was higher in the intervention
group compared with that in the control group. The statistical analysis showed that the
counselinggiven by the health workers influenced the provision of exclusive breastfeeding (P = 0.01;
CI: 1.11 to 6.84).
Conclusion: The provision of breastfeeding counseling by the health workers influenced the success
of exclusive breastfeeding (E1) in DarulImarah Sub-district.