Determinant of stunting in children aged 12-24 months during the COVID-19 pandemic era in Makassar City

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of stunting in Sulawesi Selatan after the pandemic has decreased. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic situation has made it difficult to conduct anthropometric measurements owing to a number of regulations enacted by the government to suppress the cases of COVID-19. The Sudiang Public Health Center is one of the biggest contributors to stunting in Makassar City with a prevalence of 11.06 %. This study aimed to assess the degree of risk of Low Body Weight (LBW), pregnancy checkups <4 times, incomplete basic vaccinations, nonexclusive breastfeeding, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)/ diarrhea infections, household income, and contaminated water sources on stunting during the pandemic. Methods: This study was an observational study with a control case epidemiology design. The sample was 140 respondents, namely 70 case children (stunting) and 70 control children (non-stunting). The statistical analysis used was the Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression test. The results were expressed in the ODDS ratio. Results: The results of this study showed that there is a relationship between LBW (OR=4.0, 1.502-10.911, CI=95 %; ρ=0.006), pregnancy checkups <4 times (OR=3.3, 1.319-8.753, CI=95 %; ρ=0.011), non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR=2.4, 1.045-5.645, CI=95 %; ρ=0.039), and ARI/ diarrhea infections (OR=4.3, 1.839-10.222, CI=95 %; ρ=0.001) and stunting in children aged 12-24 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Makassar City. The history of infectious disease is the most influential variable in the incidence of stunting. Conclusions: It is concluded that the risk of stunting is the highest in LBW children, with pregnancy checkups less than 4 times, non-exclusive breastfeeding, and infectious diseases such as ARI/diarrhea in the last three months.