Abstract:
Introduction: Stunting is a nutritional problems that up to this time threaten the health of Indonesian children. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months followed by continuing breastfed for up to two years and complementary foods can lower the stunting prevalence. Government policy is the government’s effort to manage the society to solve the nation’s problem. Klaten district has designed the early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding regional regulation number 7 in 2008, the positive impact of this regulation is the decrease of stunting prevalence. The purpose of this study is to know: The factors that support implementation of the early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding local regulation in Klaten district and Magelang city. The factors that hinder the early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding local regulation in Klaten district and Magelang city.
Methods: The research was done in Klaten district and Magelang city, Central Java province. The informants were mothers of toddlers who have implemented the early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and also health workers in Klaten disctrict and Magelang city. The research was done with qualitative method.
Results: (1) The factors that support the implementation of the local regulation in Klaten district and Magelang city are the local culture which, up to now, become a custom in the society that mothers and infants should stay at home until 40 days after birth; Paternal tradition which makes the people follow the instructions of the health workers or other figure they respect; Practical and economical customs which are understood and practiced by young mothers. (2) The factors that hinder the implementation of the local regulation in Klaten District and Magelang city: Limited awareness, motivation, concern and participation of mothers, husbands, other family members and local health workers about the local regulation; Incorrect implementation timing of the local regulation; The local regulation conflicts with the culture and norms of local people’s religion; The local regulation was misused by some people/group to take instant profit/benefit; The local regulation of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding contradicts with other existing policy.
Conclusions: The beneficial recommendations for strenghtening the development of the local regulation in similar cultural characteristics: 1) Local regulation revisions and reorganization of the implementers at substantial and institutional aspect to adapt with the local condition; 2) Observation, evaluation and law enforcement in the local regulation implementation; 3) Increase the capacity of health workers and cadres in implementing the local regulation; 4) Sufficient funding from the local government budget.
