The Relationship Between On-Demand Breastfeeding Education and Exclusive Breastfeeding Coverage in Mothers with Infants Aged 0–6 Months at Puskesmas Lahei II

Abstract

Balanced nutrition during early childhood is essential for growth, development, and overall health. Maternal knowledge plays a pivotal role in determining children’s dietary adequacy, particularly in rural communities where access to nutritional information may be limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and the occurrence of decreased balanced nutrition in children aged 1 to 3 years in the Putri Ayang Sari Posyandu area, Lemo 2 Village, North Barito Regency. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, involving 30 mothers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to assess maternal knowledge regarding dietary diversity, meal frequency, portion size, and essential nutrients. Children’s nutritional status was measured using anthropometric indicators and classified according to WHO growth standards. Data analysis included univariate description and bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test to determine the relationship between maternal knowledge and decreased nutrition, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed that 60% of children experienced decreased balanced nutrition, while 46.7% of mothers had moderate knowledge and 26.7% had low knowledge. Chi-square analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between maternal knowledge and children’s nutritional status (χ² = 14.32; p = 0.001), indicating that children of mothers with higher knowledge were more likely to receive adequate nutrition. These findings highlight the importance of maternal education in promoting optimal child feeding practices. Interventions targeting knowledge enhancement, practical nutrition guidance, and family support at Posyandu are recommended to prevent malnutrition and improve growth outcomes in children aged 1–3 years.