Policy to increase exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia: a secondary analysis to identify priority promotion groups

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is critical during the early stages of life. Babies require only breast milk from birth until 6 months of age. This study analyzed the correct target for increasing EBF in Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 12,534 infants and examined EBF practices as outcome variables. Seven maternal characteristics were included as exposure variables (residence, age, marital status, education, employment, prenatal class, and wealth) and four infant characteristics as control variables (age, sex, birth weight, and early initiation of breastfeeding). Finally, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Result showed that the proportion of EBF in Indonesia is 52.90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.37%-53.43%). Mothers in rural areas were 1.134 times more likely to perform EBF than were those in urban areas (95% CI, 1.126-1.141). All maternal age groups were more likely to achieve EBF than the youngest group (44 years, for which there was no significant difference compared with those aged