PENGALAMAN IBU MERAWAT BAYI YANG TERPAPAR ASAP KEBAKARAN HUTAN

Purpose: Haze resulted from forest fires comprises gases, particles, water favors, and organic matters. If inhaled, haze will negatively affect one’s health, especially the vulnerable groups namely infants. The study was aimed to describe mothers experience in taking care of their infants who were exposed to forest fire haze. Methodology: The study applied qualitative method using phenomenology approach. The participants to this study is mothers experience in taking care of their infant who were exposed to forest fire haze using a purposive sampling. The data were collected by deeply interviewing 4 participants who were visiting Community Health Service (Puskemas) Payung Sekaki with their infants between the period of August and September 2019. The data were analyzed using thematic method. Result: The results of the study revealed 5 (five) main topics, comprising: (1) the effects of forest fire haze on how mothers took care of their infants, (2) the infants’ condition during exposure to forest fire haze, (3) infant care during exposure to forest fire haze, (4) supports and preventive measures undertaken by family members, (5) expectation for forest fire haze events. Conclusion: The results showed that forest fire haze affected not only the infants but also the mothers in taking care of the infants exposed to it. It is also suggested that mothers with infants exposed to forest fire haze to improve the care given by taking preventive measures either inside or outside the house.