Women’s Empowerment and Socio Demographic Characteristics as Determinant of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice in Indonesia
Eka Mishbahatul Marah Has*
, Ferry Efendi, Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni, Ika Zulkafika Mahmudah and Kusnul Chotimah
Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya City, East Java, Indonesia.
Corresponding Author E-mail: eka.m.has@fkp.unair.ac.id
Abstract:
Proper infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are essential to promote child's optimum health and improve their survival. Women's empowerment is believed can mediate intra-household resources towards optimal IYCF practice. However, the evidence is limited in South-East Asia. This study was aimed to determine the association of women's empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics with IYCF practice in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study used the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) data. Samples were 4,923 women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) whose last child was aged 6-23 months old. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association of women's empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics with IYCF practice. Child's age 18-23 months old (AOR=6.58; 95% CI=5.121-8.456), husband's occupation in non-agricultural sector (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.17-4.07), the richest household (AOR=2.83; 95% CI=2.007-4.002), and high level of women's empowerment (AOR=1.311; 95% CI=1.085-1.584), significantly associated with Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD). Living in urban residence is significantly associated with Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI=1.026-1.481). Child's age 18-23 months old (AOR=2.31; 95% CI=1.916-2.785), living in the richest household (AOR=1.46; 95% CI=1.121-1.905), in urban residence (AOR=1.224; 95% CI=1.033-1.451), and high level of women's empowerment (AOR=1.27; 95% CI=1.093-1.488), significantly associated with Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). While women aged 45-49 years had significant negative association with MAD (AOR=0.342; 95% CI=0.141-0.833; coef. =-1.072). It can be concluded that women empowerment and sociodemographic characteristics are associated with IYCF practice. Therefore, enhancing women's Empowerment through health promotion is inevitable, considering their sociodemographic background.
Keywords:
Demographic And Health Survey; Indonesia; Infant And Young Child Feeding Practice; Sociodemographic Characteristics; Women Empowerment
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