Factors Associated with the Incidence of Stunting in Children Aged 24-59 Months at UPTD Sangurara Public Health Center, Palu City, in 2023

Keywords: Risk Factors, Stunting, Toddler

Stunting and underweight were nutrition problem in children under

five which is caused by multiple factors Objective: This study aimed to

know factors related to stunting and underweight among children

under five in working area of public health center of Busalangga.

Method: This cross-sectional study involved 293 chidren under-five,

sampled technique with stratified random sampling. Continuity

Correction and Pearson Chi-Square were used to analyse the

relationship between variables. Result: Factors related to stunting

and underweight: age of mother when first pregnancy (p:0,000), birth

weight (p:0,000), exclusive breastfeeding (p:0,000), aged to introduce

complementary feeding (p:0,000), type and textures of first

complementary feeding (p:0,000), toddlers with history of infectious

diseases (p:0,000), and mother’s behaviour {hand washing} (p:0,000).

Factors just related to underweight: maternal education (p:0,003),

health problems during pregnancy (p:0,003), early initiation of

breastfeeding (p:0,001), colostrum (p:0,024) Conclusion and

suggestions: Factors related to stunting and underweight: age of

mother when first pregnancy, birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding,

aged to introduce complementary feeding, type and textures of first

complementary feeding, toddlers with history of infectious diseases,

and mother’s behaviou (hand washing). Factors just related to

underweight: maternal education, health problems during

pregnancy, early initiation of breastfeeding and colostrum. Therefore,

health workers in the future need to be concerned to improve the

program about prevention stunting and underweight.