The Influence Of Food Consumption, Exclusive Breastfeeding History, And Infective Diseases On Stunting Incidence; A Case-Control Study

Abstract

East Nusa Tenggara Province has most of the dry land areas and islands. This drought condition results in limited food availability which has an impact on the emergence of malnutrition problems including stunting. The study aims to analyze the influence of food consumption patterns, history of exclusive breastfeeding, and infectious diseases on the incidence of stunting in the coastal and mountainous areas of the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The research design used was case control with a sample of 240 mothers under five in 2021. The data collected was analyzed using a simple logistic regression test. The results showed that the factors that had an effect on and were at risk of stunting in the mountainous region were a history of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.000), food consumption pattern (energy:p=0.001; protein:p=0.010). Meanwhile, the factor that influences and protects the incidence of stunting is a history of infectious diseases (p=0.014). In coastal areas, it was found that the history of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.003), the history of illness (p=0.000) and food consumption patterns (energy p=0.000 and protein:p=0.000) had an effect on and were at risk of stunting. This means that the incidence of stunting in coastal and mountainous areas is influenced by food consumption patterns, history of exclusive breastfeeding and history of infectious diseases. Therefore, knowledge about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and consuming various foods in preventing stunting.