STUNTING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AGED 12-36 MONTHS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The critical period of a child's neurodevelopment is during the first thousand days of life. Children with a balanced diet have a better chance of development than children raised in adverse conditions. WHO states that 5-25% of children under five have mild brain dysfunction, including impairments in fine motor development. This study aims to determine the relationship between stunting and child growth and development (aged 12-36 months) in the Bara-Baraya Public Health Center, Makassar City, work area. METHOD: This study was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional perspective conducted in the working area of Bara-Baraya Health Center in Makassar City from September to November 2022. The study population consisted of children aged 12-36 months, and the sample was collected using a purposive sampling technique with 60 respondents. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The results showed no relationship between stunting and child development (aged 12- 36 months) in the work area of the Bara-Baraya Health Center, with a p-value of 0.054. However, children with stunting experience more questionable development and possible deviations than children who are not stunted. CONCLUSION: The conclusion is that there is no relationship between the child's development (age 12-36 months). It is recommended that policymakers, to prevent more children from suffering from stunting, are expected to evaluate and improve the nutrition intake program for the first 1000 days of life by increasing maternal awareness about the importance of fulfilling nutrition, especially micronutrients intake during pregnancy up to the first 1000 days of life.