Profile of Mother's Knowledge and Behavior Toward Stimulation and Their Babies' Development in an Urban Poor Area in Jakarta

Titi S. Sularyo (Department of Child Health, University of Indonesia Medical School/Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta)
Ulynar Marpaung (Department of Child Health, University of Indonesia Medical School/Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta)
Arwin A. P. Akib (Department of Child Health, University of Indonesia Medical School/Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta)

Paediatrica Indonesiana
Vol 39 No 9-10 (1999): September - October 1999

This was a field study carried out in all Posyandus located in Pulo Gadung, a poor urban of East Jakarta, from April until October 1998. Three hundred and fourteen mothers and their babies were recruited. Most of the mothers (67.2%) aged from 20-29 years old, with low education level (42.4%) and a low income (19.4%). Almost all respondents were housewives and the average number of children was two (34.7%). The most important source of information for the respondents was the electronic media. Almost half of mothers behaved well toward stimulation of their babies development (49.4%); however, 64.3% had low knowledge especially about the time baby could sit upright with a good head control. Those who behaved fairly and poorly comprised 35.7% and 15%, respectively. It seems that fine motor sector was neglected. There was no significant association between mother’s knowledge and behavior towards stimulation and the development of their respective babies (p<0.5722). It revealed also that the income per capita had significant association with development of the babies (p=0.033).