Maternal Education and Responsive Feeding: Associations with Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills among Mothers of Children Aged 6–24 Months
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32807/jkp.v21i2.2016Keywords:
maternal, education level, knowledge, responsive feeding, childrenAbstract
Responsive feeding involves caregivers recognizing and responding appropriately to children’s hunger and satiety cues. Maternal education may influence health literacy; however, its association with responsive feeding-related outcomes remains unclear.To analyze the association between maternal educational level and mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills regarding responsive feeding among mothers of children aged 6–24 months in West Lombok Regency, Indonesia.This observational analytic study employed a cross-sectional design involving 60 mothers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected following an educational session using a booklet and Daily Eating Guide Card covering responsive feeding principles, hunger and satiety cues, supportive mealtime environments, and feeding difficulties. Participants completed the card for seven days, followed by a posttest. Maternal educational level was the independent variable, while knowledge, attitudes, and skills were the dependent variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation test, with a significance level of 0.05.Most respondents had elementary or junior high school education (83.3%). Good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding responsive feeding were demonstrated by 61.7% and 81.7% of respondents, respectively. Regarding skills, 48.3% demonstrated good skills, 36.7% fair skills, and 15.0% poor skills. No significant associations were found between maternal educational level and knowledge (r = 0.050, p = 0.703), attitudes (r = ?0.212, p = 0.104), or skills (r = ?0.106, p = 0.420).Maternal educational level was not significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, or skills regarding responsive feeding. These findings suggest that other factors may contribute to responsive feeding outcomes. Continuous education using accessible, practical, and context-appropriate educational media may help strengthen responsive feeding practices among mothers.
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