Counseling and education program for parents

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 19 views

The Influence of Maternal Behavior in Meeting the Needs of Nutrition and Immunization on the Risk of Stunting in Toddlers in Langkat Regency

Introduction

Stunting is a serious health problem that affects millions of children worldwide, categorized as chronic malnutrition. This condition occurs due to inadequate nutritional intake for a long time, caused by providing food that is not in accordance with the nutritional needs of children. In Langkat Regency, especially in the District of Secanggang, the behavior of mothers in meeting the nutritional needs and immunizations of toddlers has an important influence on the risk of stunting. This study aims to identify how much influence the mother's behavior in these two aspects of the risk of stunting in toddlers.

Background

Stunting is a complex issue that affects not only the health of children but also the economic and social growth of society. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stunting is a major public health concern, affecting approximately 25% of children under the age of five worldwide. In Indonesia, stunting is a significant problem, with approximately 30% of children under the age of five suffering from stunting. In Langkat Regency, the situation is even more critical, with a stunting rate of approximately 40%.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive correlation design with a population consisting of mothers who have children under five. The research sample was taken as many as 50 respondents using the purposive sampling method. Data is collected through a questionnaire that includes information about the behavior of mothers in providing nutrition and immunization to children. Furthermore, data analysis is carried out using non-parametric statistical tests, especially Chi-Square.

Results

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk, where the significance value obtained is p value 0.00, which is smaller than α 0.05. This means that there is a strong influence between mother's behavior in meeting the needs of nutrition and immunization of the risk of stunting in toddlers. Mismatch in providing adequate nutrition and timely immunization can increase the risk of stunting.

Discussion

The results of this study are consistent with previous studies that have shown that maternal behavior plays a crucial role in preventing stunting. A study conducted in Indonesia found that mothers who have a good understanding of the importance of balanced nutritional intake and proper immunization are more likely to provide adequate nutrition and timely immunization to their children. Another study conducted in the Philippines found that mothers who have a good understanding of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life are more likely to breastfeed their children exclusively.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that there is a strong influence between mother's behavior in meeting the needs of nutrition and immunization of the risk of stunting in toddlers. Mismatch in providing adequate nutrition and timely immunization can increase the risk of stunting. Therefore, it is essential for mothers to have a good understanding of the importance of balanced nutritional intake and proper immunization for the growth and development of children.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Counseling and education program for parents: A counseling and education program for parents, especially mothers, is very necessary to increase awareness about the importance of good nutrition and immunization for toddlers.
Improving access to healthcare: Improving access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, is essential to ensure that children receive timely immunization and adequate nutrition.
Strengthening community-based programs: Strengthening community-based programs, such as community health workers and village health volunteers, is essential to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition and timely immunization.
Increasing awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding: Increasing awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is essential to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Cross-sectional design: The cross-sectional design of this study may limit the ability to establish causality between maternal behavior and stunting risk.
Self-reported data: The data collected in this study is self-reported, which may be subject to bias.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk in other regions: Investigating the relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk in other regions is essential to understand the generalizability of the results.
Examine the impact of counseling and education programs on maternal behavior: Examining the impact of counseling and education programs on maternal behavior is essential to understand the effectiveness of these programs.
Investigate the role of community-based programs in preventing stunting: Investigating the role of community-based programs in preventing stunting is essential to understand the effectiveness of these programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that there is a significant relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk in toddlers in Langkat Regency. Mismatch in providing adequate nutrition and timely immunization can increase the risk of stunting. Therefore, it is essential for mothers to have a good understanding of the importance of balanced nutritional intake and proper immunization for the growth and development of children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Maternal Behavior on the Risk of Stunting in Toddlers in Langkat Regency

Q: What is stunting, and how does it affect children?

A: Stunting is a serious health problem that affects millions of children worldwide, categorized as chronic malnutrition. It occurs due to inadequate nutritional intake for a long time, caused by providing food that is not in accordance with the nutritional needs of children. Stunting can lead to a range of health problems, including weakened immune systems, poor cognitive development, and increased risk of infections.

Q: What is the relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk?

A: The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between maternal behavior and stunting risk, where the significance value obtained is p value 0.00, which is smaller than α 0.05. This means that there is a strong influence between mother's behavior in meeting the needs of nutrition and immunization of the risk of stunting in toddlers.

Q: What are the key factors that contribute to stunting in toddlers?

A: The key factors that contribute to stunting in toddlers include:

Inadequate nutrition: Providing food that is not in accordance with the nutritional needs of children.
Timely immunization: Failure to provide timely immunization can increase the risk of stunting.
Maternal behavior: Mothers who have a good understanding of the importance of balanced nutritional intake and proper immunization are more likely to provide adequate nutrition and timely immunization to their children.

Q: What are the consequences of stunting in toddlers?

A: The consequences of stunting in toddlers include:

Weakened immune systems: Stunted children are more susceptible to infections and diseases.
Poor cognitive development: Stunted children may experience delayed cognitive development and lower IQ.
Increased risk of infections: Stunted children are more likely to experience infections and diseases.

Q: What can mothers do to prevent stunting in their children?

A: Mothers can take the following steps to prevent stunting in their children:

Provide balanced nutrition: Ensure that their children receive a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.
Ensure timely immunization: Ensure that their children receive timely immunization to prevent infections and diseases.
Seek healthcare: Seek healthcare if their children experience any health problems or symptoms of stunting.

Q: What role can community-based programs play in preventing stunting?

A: Community-based programs can play a crucial role in preventing stunting by:

Providing education and awareness: Educating mothers and caregivers about the importance of balanced nutrition and timely immunization.
Providing support and resources: Providing support and resources to mothers and caregivers to ensure that their children receive adequate nutrition and timely immunization.
Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of community-based programs in preventing stunting.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policymakers and healthcare providers?

A: The implications of this study for policymakers and healthcare providers include:

Developing effective interventions: Developing effective interventions to prevent stunting in toddlers.
Improving access to healthcare: Improving access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, to ensure that children receive timely immunization and adequate nutrition.
Strengthening community-based programs: Strengthening community-based programs to ensure that mothers and caregivers receive the support and resources they need to prevent stunting in their children.