INTEGRASI PIJAT LAKTASI DAN EDUKASI GIZI UNTUK PENINGKATAN PRODUKSI ASI EKSKLUSIF: STUDI MIXED METHOD PADA IBU MENYUSUI DI KABUPATEN ROKAN HULU

Abstract

The coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in Rokan Hulu Regency remains low at 56%, far below the national target of 80%. This insufficient achievement is influenced by inadequate maternal nutritional knowledge, postpartum stress, and limited social support. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of integrating oxytocin massage and nutrition education on breast-milk production and maternal knowledge. A mixed-method explanatory sequential design was employed, beginning with a quantitative phase using a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group design, followed by qualitative exploration through in-depth interviews. A total of 60 breastfeeding mothers with infants aged 0–6 months were selected purposively, consisting of 30 participants in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and independent t-tests, while qualitative data were examined thematically. The results revealed a significant increase in breast-milk volume of 22.4% (t = 5.62; p < 0.05) and an improvement in maternal nutrition-knowledge scores by 27.1 points (t = 8.12; p < 0.05) in the intervention group compared to the control. The effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.78) indicated a moderate-to-strong practical impact. Qualitative findings showed that the intervention enhanced mothers’ self-confidence, reduced stress, and strengthened family and community support. The novelty of this study lies in integrating a physiological intervention (oxytocin massage) with an educational approach (nutrition literacy) into a holistic, community-based model proven effective in improving exclusive-breastfeeding success. This model is recommended for adoption in primary-health-care programs to strengthen maternal and child-health outcomes in rural areas.