Breastfeeding mothers' perceptions of the neno boha tradition in the analysis of the health belief model at the Noemuke Health Center, South Central Timor Regency

ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Neno Boha merupakan tradisi pasca persalinan masyarakat Timor yang mencakup praktik Se’i (pengasapan ibu dan bayi), Tatobi (kompres air panas), serta pantangan makanan. Praktik ini berpotensi menimbulkan risiko kesehatan, seperti gangguan pernapasan akibat paparan asap, luka bakar dan infeksi kulit dari penggunaan air panas, serta kekurangan gizi akibat pembatasan konsumsi makanan, yang dapat berdampak pada kesehatan ibu dan bayi. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis persepsi ibu menyusui terhadap tradisi Neno Boha menggunakan pendekatan Health Belief Model (HBM). Metode: Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam terhadap 13 informan, terdiri atas 5 ibu menyusui sebagai informan utama dan 8 informan triangulasi, yaitu tokoh masyarakat, bidan desa, tenaga gizi, serta anggota keluarga ibu menyusui. Analisis data dilakukan melalui tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa praktik utama Neno Boha masih dijalankan karena keyakinan akan manfaatnya dalam pemulihan pasca persalinan. Namun, sebagian ibu mulai meninggalkan praktik Se’i karena meningkatnya kesadaran terhadap risiko gangguan pernapasan pada bayi. Praktik Tatobi mengalami modifikasi dengan penggunaan air hangat untuk mengurangi resiko luka bakar, sementara pola konsumsi makanan mulai bergeser ke arah yang lebih bergizi. Faktor ekonomi menjadi hambatan utama dalam perubahan pola makan akibat keterbatasan akses terhadap sumber protein dan pangan bergizi. Edukasi tenaga kesehatan dan dukungan kebijakan pemerintah berperan dalam mendorong perubahan praktik menuju pendekatan yang lebih aman. Kesimpulan: Diperlukan intervensi kesehatan berbasis budaya yang disertai dukungan ekonomi untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan ibu dan bayi. Background: Neno Boha is a postpartum tradition among the Timorese community that includes Se’i (smoking of mothers and infants), Tatobi (hot water compress), and dietary restrictions. These practices may pose health risks, such as respiratory disorders due to smoke exposure, burns and skin infections from hot water use, and malnutrition resulting from dietary restrictions, which can adversely affect maternal and infant health. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze breastfeeding mothers’ perceptions of the Neno Boha tradition using the Health Belief Model (HBM) approach. Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 13 informants, consisting of five breastfeeding mothers as primary informants and eight triangulation informants, including a community leader, a village midwife, a nutritionist, and family members of breastfeeding mothers. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Results: The findings showed that the main practices of Neno Boha are still maintained due to beliefs in their benefits for postpartum recovery. However, some mothers have begun to abandon the Se’i practice due to increased awareness of the risk of respiratory problems in infants. The Tatobi practice has been modified by using warm water to reduce the risk of burns, while dietary patterns have gradually shifted toward more nutritious food consumption. Economic factors remain a major barrier to dietary changes due to limited access to protein sources and nutritious foods. Health education provided by healthcare workers and government policy support play an important role in encouraging safer practices. Conclusions: Culturally sensitive health interventions accompanied by economic support are needed to improve maternal and infant well-being.