The Effect of Midwives 'Assistance in Giving Solid Foods Containing Prebiotics on the Frequency of Digestive Disorders in Infants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69855/bidan.v3i1.571Keywords:
MPASI, Prebiotics, DigestionAbstract
Digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, and colic are common among infants aged 6–12 months, particularly during the introduction of complementary feeding (MPASI). These conditions are often associated with inappropriate food choices and feeding practices. Complementary foods containing prebiotics may help maintain gut microbiota balance and reduce the occurrence of digestive problems. However, proper implementation of prebiotic-based complementary feeding requires guidance from health professionals, especially midwives. This study aimed to analyze the influence of midwives on the provision of prebiotic-containing complementary foods and its effect on the frequency of digestive disorders in infants. A quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted in the working area of Ibuh Health Center, Payakumbuh City, in 2025. The sample consisted of 60 mothers with infants aged 6–12 months selected through purposive sampling and divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received midwife assistance regarding the provision of prebiotic-containing complementary foods for four weeks. Data were collected using questionnaires, observation sheets, and logbooks recording digestive disorder frequency. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate methods with the chi-square test at a 95% confidence level (α=0.05). The results showed that midwife assistance significantly reduced the frequency of digestive disorders in infants (p=0.001). Therefore, midwife assistance in providing prebiotic complementary foods is effective in reducing digestive disorders among infants.
References
Arikunto, S. (2019). Research procedures: A practical approach (10th ed.). Rineka Cipta.
Arrieta, M.-C., et al. (2021). The gut microbiome and its influence on infant health and disease. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Ferro, L. E., Crowley, L. N., Bittinger, K., Friedman, E. S., Decker, J. E., Russel, K., ... Trabulsi, J. C. (2023). Effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on the infant gut microbiota and other health outcomes: A systematic review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(22), 5620–5642. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2022595
Gibson, G. R., Hutkins, R., et al. (2021). Expert consensus on prebiotics: Definition and scope. Journal of Nutrition.
Kalsum, U., Annisa, N., Abdullah, A. D., & Latif, A. R. (2022). Early complementary feeding (MPASI) as one of the factors causing stunting: A literature review. Ahmar Metastasis Health Journal, 2(3), 157–165. https://doi.org/10.53770/amhj.v2i3.152
Korea Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Group. (2020). Prebiotics in the infant microbiome: The past, present, and future. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, 23(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2020.23.1.1
Mihatsch, W., et al. (2026). Technical review by the ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications on the health outcomes of infant formula supplemented with prebiotics. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Miqdady, M., Al Mistarihi, J., Azaz, A., & Rawat, D. (2020). Prebiotics in the infant microbiome: The past, present, and future. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, 23(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2020.23.1.1
Nainggolan, N., Sianturi, M. I. B., & Karo Karo, H. Y. (2022). Assistance in complementary food (MPASI) preparation for infants as an effort to prevent stunting at Batang Beruh Sidikalang Health Center. Jurnal Abdimas Mutiara.
Ningsih, H. A., Wardita, Y., & Feriyanan, T. (2021). The relationship between complementary feeding (MP-ASI) and the incidence of diarrhea among infants before six months of age in Pasean District. Jurnal MID-Z, 4(1), 7–9.
Pertiwi, G. I., & Rahman, S. (2022). Health education to improve mothers’ knowledge regarding complementary feeding for toddlers at Posyandu Kenanga-III, Pasar Merah Barat Village. Jurnal Implementa Husada.
Putri, M. E., Aprillia, N. A., Muzayyan, M. R., & Hady, I. G. (2025). Early complementary feeding increases the risk of digestive disorders in infants. Jurnal Akademik Pengabdian Masyarakat. https://doi.org/10.61722/japm.v4i1.8534
Rosyidah, D. U., Futana, N. P., Alghozi, M. H., Fadhila, Z. H., & Susanto, S. A. P. (2024). Education on complementary feeding for infants and young children at Posyandu Balita, Kadipiro Village, Banjarsari, Surakarta. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Medika, 4(2), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.23917/jpmmedika.v4i2.5255
Sari, R. (2021). The role of nutrition education in complementary feeding practices within the community. Jurnal Kesehatan.
Technical Review by ESPGHAN SIG-GMM. (2026). Prebiotic-supplemented infant formulas: Clinical outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
UNICEF. (2022). Infant and young child feeding practices. UNICEF.
Walter, J., & Gibson, G. R. (2021). Prebiotics in infant nutrition and health. Nutrition Reviews.
World Health Organization. (2021). Guideline: Complementary feeding of breastfed children. World Health Organization.
World Health Organization. (2022). Global nutrition report 2022. World Health Organization.
Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., Zhao, Y., Li, L., Zhang, Z., Hettinga, K., Yang, H., & Deng, J. (2024). A comprehensive review of dietary polysaccharides as prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics in infant formula and their influences on gut microbiota. Nutrients, 16(23), 4122. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234122
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Bulletin of Inspiring Developments and Achievements in Midwifery
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
