Fostering breastfeeding policy through multisectoral collaboration

Exclusive breastfeeding is a vital component of public health strategies to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. Despite its importance, the achievement is still low in Aceh Province, Indonesia, owing to sociocultural beliefs, aggressive formula marketing, and limited support infrastructure. This study explored the role of multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly the involvement of religious institutions, in strengthening breastfeeding policies in the region. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 key informants representing government agencies, NGOs, the private sector, academia, the media, and the Aceh Ulama Council (MPU), complemented by document analysis. The findings reveal that, although intersectoral collaboration aligns with national policy frameworks, its implementation is suboptimal. The Health Office serves as the primary actor, while the MPU plays a pivotal contextual role by legitimizing breastfeeding through Islamic jurisprudence, notably with the issuance of MPU Fatwa No. June 2019. The religious framing of health messages has significantly enhanced community acceptance of exclusive breastfeeding initiatives. This study underscores the importance of integrating religious authority within health promotion strategies in culturally rooted settings. Policy recommendations include strengthening the role of religious leaders in health campaigns, expanding collaborative networks to include private and media stakeholders, and enhancing cross-sector communication to foster an enabling environment for optimal breastfeeding. These findings contribute to global discussions on culturally sensitive and faith-based approaches to maternal and child health policy implementations

Breastfeeding · Population · Public policy · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health

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