The Relationships between Maternal Knowledge, Income Level, and the Risk of Stunting in Children in Medan, Sumatera Utara

Putri Ayu  Sianturi; Eka Samuel Parulian  Hutasoit; Sanggam Bangun  Hutagalung

doi:10.26911/ICPH10/Maternal/2023.32

Authors

	Putri Ayu Sianturi Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Methodist Indonesia ~ Author
	Eka Samuel Parulian Hutasoit Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Methodist Indonesia ~ Author
	Sanggam Bangun Hutagalung Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Methodist Indonesia ~ Author

Abstract

Background: Stunting is an important public health problem in developing countries. Stunting is a complex multifactorial phenomenon that has many contributing factors. This study aimed to determine the relationships between maternal knowledge, income level, and the risk of stunting in children in Medan, Sumatera Utara.

Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Sunggal Community Health Center, Medan, North Sumatera. A total of 55 children under five were selected for this study who were visiting the Community Health Center. The independent variables included maternal knowledge and income level. The dependent variable was stunting. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed using Chi-Square with odds ratio (OR) as the measure of effect.

Results: Low knowledge (OR= 41.55; 95% CI= 4.72 to 365.78; p=0.005) and income level (OR= 5.60; 95% CI= 1.31 to 23.85; p= 0.019) were associated with an increased risk of stunting.

Conclusion: Low knowledge and income level were associated with an increased risk of stunting.