Factors Affecting Stunting Incidence In Toddlers (12-59 Months) at Rumbai Bukit Health Center Pekanbaru City

ABSTRACT

In 2019 the Rumbai Bukit Public Health Center was the health center with the highest prevalence of stunting in Pekanbaru City at 38.8%;this is still above Indonesia's target of 14%. This study aims to analyze the factors associated with the incidence of stunting in children under five (12-59 months) in the working area of the Rumbai Bukit Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City, in 2021. This study is a cross-sectional study. The research sample was 161 mothers with children under five aged 12-59 months in the Rumbai Bukit Health Center working area. Data on stunting children were obtained from direct measurements. Data on knowledge, birth weight of children under five, exclusive breastfeeding, age of complementary feeding, immunization, parenting, economic status, and history of infectious diseases were collected through questionnaire interviews. Bivariate analysis was carried out with a chi-square test and multivariate with a multiple logistic regression test. The study found that 19.9% of children under five were stunted. A history of infectious disease was significantly related to stunting in children under five (p < 0.05). Children under five who have infectious diseases have a 5.5 times chance of becoming stunted. It is recommended that MCH and Nutrition program holders work together to continue counseling about the importance of good parenting for children under five and increase basic immunization coverage to prevent infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.