Stunting Incidence Based on Maternal Variables n Three Ecological Zones in The Working Area of Labaraga Health Center, North Wakorumba District, North Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

Abstract

Background: Indonesia still faces nutritional problems like other developing countries, especially those affecting toddlers and pregnant women. This nutritional problem is not only caused by a lack of macronutrients but also micronutrients. Stunting in toddlers is a manifestation of chronic nutritional deficiencies both pre- and postnatally . In this study, we aim to analyzed stunting incidence based on maternal variables in three ecological zones that in Wakorumba Utara District, North Buton Regency.

Method: The research methodology used in this research was quantitative research using a cross-sectional study design. This study used total sampling with a sample of 94 mothers of toddlers aged 0-23 years.

Results: Maternal age affects the incidence of stunting in the Labaraga Health Center work area, this is because the mother's age during pregnancy is <20 years so that at this time the mother is not physically or mentally prepared to have and care for children, while if the mother experiences pregnancy at an old age (>35 years) also has the risk of giving birth to stunted toddlers because at this time women are more susceptible to several diseases that can interfere with the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy to childbirth. Mothers who have a history of hypertension have a significant influence on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 0-23 months because hypertension in pregnancy (HDK) is an incident that endanger the mother because it can cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth. ANC visits affect the incidence of stunting in the Labaraga Health Center work area due to the lack of awareness of mothers to carry out ANC examinations, this is due to the fact that there are still early marriages or pregnancies outside of marriage so that ANC visits are not based on examinations that should be Antenatal Care visits starting from K1 to K4 which are indicators to see the quality of health services for pregnant women, therefore ANC visits are very important for the health of the mother and fetus.

Conclusion: In the prediction model using logistic regression analysis, the Walt test that has the most influential results is the nutritional status of toddlers, including the history of immunization and the history of infectious diseases in children in ecological zones in coastal and lowland areas, this is caused by the lack of parental attention to children in lowlands and coastal areas due to the busy work of mothers as farmers and employees.