Hanny Rasni Sihaloho, Fahrudin Kurdi, Niken Asih Larasati, Tantut Susanto

Infant Care In The Agricultural Community Of Ethnic Blambangan Banyuwangi

Introduction

Infant care in the agricultural community of ethnic blambangan banyuwangi . Explore traditional infant care culture in Blambangan Banyuwangi's agricultural community. Learn about unique practices & beliefs to improve infant health.

Abstract

Background: Data on infant mortality in Banyuwangi shows an increase in the last five years; data on infant breastfeeding has not been achieved either; while Indonesia's history of the Blambangan people, Banyuwangi, is recorded as healthy, strong, and thick with culture, known to be skilled in care, including baby care. Research is needed to find out the culture of infant care in the Blambanga ethnic community so that a good infant care culture can be strengthened to improve health. Methods: The research used an ethnographic research design, with a sample size of 39 people; data were collected through FGDs, in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation and analysed thematically using ethnographic and Colaizzi analysis. Several online applications were used in data processing and diagramming the results, and ethical principles were applied. Results: The themes identified in the culture of infant care in the Blambangan community are cutting the umbilical cord, infant massage, the role of baby shamans, the use of plants as therapy, celebrations for babies, swaddling babies, feeding babies under six months, beliefs related to infant care, and environmental modifications when having children. Some cultures need to be reinforced. Conclusion: The culture of good breastfeeding in the Osing Banyuwangi community, recorded in Indonesian history, must be reconstructed. The culture of good infant care needs to be reinforced to achieve better health, and this research needs to be developed to reconstruct the culture of infant care in the Osing Banyuwangi community.

Review

This ethnographic study effectively highlights the critical need to understand local cultural practices in infant care, particularly in the Blambangan ethnic community of Banyuwangi, a region grappling with increasing infant mortality and low breastfeeding rates. The research is well-grounded in the historical resilience and cultural knowledge of the Blambangan people, suggesting a rich tapestry of traditional care practices. Employing a robust qualitative methodology, including FGDs, in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation, the study thoroughly explored various aspects of infant care culture. The identification of themes such as umbilical cord care, infant massage, the role of shamans, plant therapies, celebrations, swaddling, feeding practices, beliefs, and environmental modifications provides a comprehensive overview of the cultural landscape surrounding infant health. The study's strengths lie in its timely and relevant focus on a pressing public health issue within a specific cultural context, utilizing a strong ethnographic design appropriate for uncovering complex social realities. The multi-modal data collection strategy enhances the trustworthiness and depth of the findings. However, the abstract presents some areas that could benefit from greater clarity. Specifically, the interchangeable use of "Blambangan" in the title and "Osing Banyuwangi community" in the conclusion requires clarification to avoid potential confusion regarding the exact population under investigation. Additionally, while the conclusion advocates for reinforcing "good" cultural practices and reconstructing others, the abstract does not explicitly delineate *which* identified practices fall into each category, nor does it define what constitutes "good" care—whether it aligns with traditional wisdom, modern medical standards, or a blend of both. Despite these minor points, the research offers significant value by documenting indigenous infant care practices, which is crucial for informing culturally sensitive public health interventions. The call to reconstruct and reinforce aspects of the culture underscores the potential for integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary health strategies to improve infant outcomes effectively. This study provides a vital groundwork, and future research should aim to further evaluate the health impacts of specific cultural practices identified, clarify the relationship between Blambangan and Osing communities, and explicitly detail strategies for the proposed cultural reconstruction. Such further development would substantially contribute to reducing infant mortality and fostering better health within the community.

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