Breastfeeding Knowledge and Behavior in Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) as a Natural Contraceptive

Abstract

Breastfeeding Knowledge and Behavior in Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) as a Natural Contraceptive Mufdlilah1, Reza Bintangdari Johan2*, Sri Ratna Ningsih1 1Master of Midwifery Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2Diploma III of Midwifery Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Lamongan, Indonesia Abstract The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is a natural contraceptive that is highly effective after the three essential criteria are fulfilled. However, there is a significantly low adoption resulting from poor knowledge and correct practices. This study aimed to determine the correlation between knowledge and behavior of breastfeeding mothers on breastfeeding as a natural contraceptive. This was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design involving 89 breastfeeding mothers and was performed from January to March 2018. Furthermore, data were collected using a questionnaire, and the results showed knowledge of breastfeeding mothers to be good (59.6%) and not good (51.7%). However, the individual’s behavior towards the implementation of LAM was not good (48.3%) and good (40.4%). Based on the statistical test, there was a correlation between knowledge and behavior of breastfeeding mothers, with a p-value of 0.006 (OR = 3.463; 95% CI = 1.411 – 8.498). In brief, knowledge of LAM amongst the participants is good, despite the poor appli cation in terms of behavior. Also, a relationship was also established between the knowledge and behavior of breastfeeding mothers as a natural contracep tive. Keywords: behavior, breastfeeding, knowledge, lactational amenorrhea