The effect of postpartum visits on breastfeeding among traditional market traders in North Sumatera, Indonesia.

Abstract

Postpartum visits support breastfeeding success among informal sector workers, such as market vendors. While the government has implemented policies, facilities, education, and community support to enhance breastfeeding coverage, execution remains inadequate. Market vendors face significant challenges in breastfeeding their newborns and require comprehensive support from their families, communities, and healthcare providers. This study aims to investigate factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding among traditional market traders using an observational cross-sectional design. Conducted in three North Sumatran regencies-Deli Serdang, Serdang Bedagai, and Langkat-it involved 157 participants selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected via a validated 20-question breastfeeding questionnaire, with reliability confirmed (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.6). Logistic regression analysis identified 10 significant determinants of exclusive breastfeeding: postpartum visits, maternal education, maternal employment, family support, healthcare access, breastfeeding knowledge, infant birth weight, mode of delivery, parity, and socio economic status. Among these, postpartum visits were the most influential (B = 4.137, Exp(B) = 62.608, p = 0.001). The results indicate the critical role of postpartum visits in supporting breastfeeding among market traders, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to assist them in maintaining optimal breastfeeding practices despite workplace challenges.