Factors Affecting Community Knowledge Regarding Stunting in South Tangerang

Abstract

Background: Stunting is a condition of growth failure in children (body and brain growth) due to malnutrition for a long time. Thus, children are shorter than normal children of their age and have delayed thinking ability. Stunting remains a major public health problem in low and middle-income countries, including Indonesia. Stunting or shortness problems in toddlers show an average of 23.4%, with the lowest stunting prevalence area in South Tangerang City. Aim: This study was to determine factors affecting community knowledge regarding stunting in the South Tangerang. Methods: This research is observational and analytical study with a cross-sectional design. The statistical analysis was using the Slovin formula, with a total of 213 people. The research subject must be at least 15 years of age, literate, own a smartphone, and is willing to participate in this survey. Results: Analysis shows that the relationship between knowledge about stunting and age has a p value of 0.020; the p value for education is 1.000; the p value for marriage is 0.746; the p value for information exposure in stunting is 1.000; and the p value for media information is 1.000. Conclusion: Age has a significant association with knowledge about stunting. Education, marriage, exposure to information about stunting, and media information are not predisposing factors related to knowledge about stunting. Recommendation: Education about stunting can start at an early age and last until old age. Education can be provided through counselling in schools or even by setting up a special nutritional preparation course to prevent stunting in adolescents, pregnant women, and even the elderly.