The role of husband in supporting exclusive breastfeeding among teenage mothers in Boyolali, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of husbands of teenage mothers in exclusive breastfeeding practice in Boyolali Regency. Respondents in this study were husbands of teenage mothers with total of 233 participants. Research data were analyzed using logistic regression tests. The results of the Multiple Linear Regression analysis show that the husband's income variable in the study was the dominant factor associated with exclusive breastfeeding for teenage mothers. Factors of husband's income (AOR = 3.263, 95% CI: 1.819–5.851), husband's knowledge (AOR = 2.334, 95% CI: 1.307–4.167), and husband's support (p = < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.669–5.383) were associated with exclusive breastfeeding to teenage mothers in Boyolali Regency. Husband's age, education, occupation, and attitude did not show a relationship with exclusive breastfeeding practices. Future studies are suggested to examine the role of other parties than husbands (biological mother/mother-in-law and health workers) in exclusive breastfeeding practice in teenage mothers.