Analysis of Factors Related to Stunting Incidence: Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Stunting which is characterised by the growth of children and is hampered due to insufficient nutritional intake during pregnancy and the first 1000 days of life, usually begins to be seen significantly after the child reaches the age of 24 months. Socioeconomic factors such as family education and income affect children's nutrition through access to food and purchasing power. Malnutrition for the mother can cause infants to be born with low body weight and disrupt foetal growth, increasing the risk of stunting in children. Breastfeeding patterns, a lack of food intake, and infectious diseases also contribute to the risk of stunting. This study aims to identify the factors that influence stunting in toddlers aged 24-59 months in the working area of Apit Sungai Puskesmas, Siak Regency. Analytical observational studies with a latitude design are carried out from October 2023 to January 2024. The study population includes all toddlers aged 24-59 months, with a total sample of 46 selected through total sampling. Data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires and analysed using the Chi-Square test. Most toddlers have a normal birth weight (71.7%), while most do not get exclusive breastfeeding (67.4%). In addition, most mothers have low knowledge about stunting (65.2%), and most families have low income (78.3%). Furthermore, most toddlers experience stunting (30.2%). This study identifies the relationship between birth weight (p = 0.000), exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.004), maternal knowledge level (p = 0.004), and family income level (p = 0.004) and stunting in the working area of Sungai Apit Puskesmas, Siak Regency.