The Relationship Between Mother's Age, Macronutrition Intake and Sanitation Hygiene with the Incident of Stunting in Toddlers at the Enarotali Public Health Center in Papua

Abstract

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that remains high in Indonesia, particularly in Papua. This condition can be influenced by various factors, including maternal age at marriage, macronutrient intake, and environmental hygiene and sanitation. This study aims to determine the relationship between maternal age at marriage, macronutrient intake, and sanitation hygiene with the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12–59 months at the Enarotali Community Health Center in Papua. This study was quantitative with a cross-sectional design. The study population was all 29 stunted toddlers, selected using a total sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews using questionnaires, 24-hour recalls to assess macronutrient intake, and observations of sanitation hygiene conditions. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed no significant relationship between maternal age at marriage and the incidence of stunting (p=0.333). There is a significant relationship between carbohydrate (p=0.000) and protein (p=0.033) intake with the incidence of stunting, while energy (p=0.361), fat (p=0.197), and sanitation hygiene (p=0.221) intake did not show a significant relationship. Macronutrient intake, especially carbohydrates and protein, influences the incidence of stunting in toddlers, while maternal marital age and sanitation hygiene are not directly related. Efforts are needed to increase nutritional knowledge and improve family eating patterns as a measure to prevent stunting in the Papua region. Macronutrient intake, especially carbohydrates and protein, influences the incidence of stunting in toddlers, while maternal marital age and sanitation hygiene are not directly related. Efforts are needed to increase nutritional knowledge and improve family eating patterns as a measure to prevent stunting in the Papua region.