Correlation Between Environmental Health and Stunting of Children Under Five Years Old in Puskesmas Balowerti Kediri City

Abstract

Introduction: Stunting prevalence in Indonesia is very high. Puskesmas Balowerti has the highest stunting prevalence in Kediri City, one of the focus locations. A healthy environment is one of the key interventions to reduce stunting. Method: This study uses a cross-sectional study with 110 samples, mothers and their children under five years old, who live in the area of the Puskesmas Baloweti, which fulfills inclusion and exclusion criteria. The independent variables are environmental health, and the dependent variable is stunting. The data collection method was conducted by using a questionnaire and height/length measurement, then analyzed using the Spearman Rank Correlation test. Result: There are 89 normal children (80.9%), 15 stunted children (13.6%), and 4 severely stunted children (3.6%). There are 87 children with inappropriate defecation behaviour (79.1%), 82 children with appropriate water sources (74.5%), 93 children with appropriate waste disposal (84.5%), 108 children with appropriate liquid disposal (98.2%), and 93 children’s families with appropriate handwashing behaviour (84.5%). The Spearman Rank Correlation test showed no correlation (p>0,05) between environmental health and stunting of children under five years old in Puskesmas Balowerti, Kediri city (p=0,073). Conclusion: This research concludes that there is no correlation between environmental health and stunting because the data of this research are less varied. Further research needs to be done with a larger sample and more varied data.