CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF STUNTED GROWTH AMONG TODDLERS IN MAKASSAR CITY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Authors

  • Minsarnawati Tahangnacca Faculty of Health Science, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Ridwan Amiruddin Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.
  • Ansariadi . Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.
  • Aminuddin Syam Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.

Keywords:

Stunted growth, Toddlers, Feeding practices, Infectious diseases, Socio-economic status

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of stunted toddlers in Indonesia is close to 9 million. Other than the importance of food intake as the cause of the stunting, types of feeding practices, infections, poor socio-economic status, and low healthcare are also among the contributors. The objective of this study is to describe the feeding practices, the history of the disease and the socio-economic conditions of stunted toddlers in South Sulawesi, in particular, Makassar City. 

Materials and Methods: An in-depth interview was conducted with the mothers of 72 toddlers who had been identified as stunted. 

Results: It was found that majority of the stunted toddlers (59.7%) had been introduced to complementary foods earlier than it should be. About 70.8% had been infected with acute respiratory infection (ARI), and diarrhoea with majority of the affected toddlers being from the low income socio-economic status. 

Conclusion: There are many factors that contribute to the toddlers’ stunted growth, and some possibilities to overcome this are to improve the socio-economic status of the families and for the authorities to introduce health education throughout the community.

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Published

2020-08-18

Issue

Vol 23 Suppl 1 (2020)

Section

Research article

License

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