Knowledge of Lactation Management, Workplace Support, and Breastfeeding Behavior among Working Mothers in East Aceh, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dwi Ris Hasanah (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Darmo, Medan, Indonesia)
Lili Nurmaliza (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Indah Medan)
Rhina Chairani Lubis (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Indah Medan)
Wilda Yunita (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Flora)

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health
Vol 8, No 3 (2026): Contagion

Returning to work is a critical point at which many mothers stop exclusive breastfeeding. In Indonesia, exclusive breastfeeding is lower among working mothers than non-working mothers, yet evidence from rural primary health care settings in Aceh is scarce. This study examined whether knowledge of lactation management and workplace support were associated with breastfeeding behavior among working mothers. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Ranto Peureulak Community Health Center, East Aceh Regency, from November 2023 to May 2024. Forty-five working mothers of children aged 7–24 months were selected by simple random sampling from 81 eligible mothers. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Only 20 mothers (44.4%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Knowledge was good in 33.3%, sufficient in 37.8%, and poor in 28.9% of mothers, and 93.3% reported a supportive workplace. Exclusive breastfeeding was slightly more frequent among mothers with good or sufficient knowledge than among those with poor knowledge (46.9% vs. 38.5%; OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.38–5.26), but the association was not significant (χ² = 0.27; df = 2; p = 0.876). Workplace support was also not associated with breastfeeding behavior (42.9% vs. 66.7%; OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.03–4.46; Fisher’s exact p = 0.577). Low exclusive breastfeeding despite widely reported workplace support suggests that general knowledge and nominal permission are insufficient without practical lactation skills, functional facilities, and adequate leave. The small sample limited statistical power. Neither knowledge of lactation management nor perceived workplace support was significantly associated with breastfeeding behavior, and exclusive breastfeeding remained suboptimal. Skills-based lactation counseling and functional workplace lactation support should be strengthened and tested in larger multi-site studies. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Lactation, Knowledge, Women, Working, Workplace.