Abstract
Stunting is a chronic nutritional issue that can hinder the growth and development of children under five. Its occurrence is influenced by various factors, including inadequate nutritional intake, suboptimal parenting practices, and recurrent infectious diseases. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between nutritional intake, parenting practices, and history of infectious diseases with the incidence of stunting among children aged 24-59 months in the working area of the Sungai Rengas Community Health Center, Kubu Raya Regency. Methods: This study employed an observational analytic quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The study population consisted of 117 children aged 24-59 months; the sample comprised 87 respondents who met the inclusion criteria, selected using accidental sampling. Data on nutritional intake were collected via 24-hour dietary recall, while information on parenting practices and history of infectious diseases was obtained through interviews using questionnaires. Stunting status was determined based on height-for-age measurements (height-for-age z-score/HAZ) using WHO growth standards. Data analysis was conducted using univariate and bivariate methods (Chi-square test), with a significance level of p<0.05 and association measured by Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: Of the 87 children studied, 34 (39.1%) were stunted, and 53 (60.9%) were not. The analysis showed that nutritional intake was associated with stunting (p=0.000), whereas parenting practices (p=0.793) and history of infectious diseases (p=1.000) were not. Conclusion: Nutritional intake is a factor associated with the incidence of stunting among children aged 24-59 months in the working area of the Sungai Rengas Community Health Center, Kubu Raya Regency. Meanwhile, parenting practices and a history of infectious diseases were found to be factors unrelated to the incidence of stunting among children aged 24-59 months in the working area of the Sungai Rengas Community Health Center, Kubu Raya Regency. Stunting prevention efforts need to be implemented in an integrated manner by improving the quality of nutritional intake, strengthening parenting practices, monitoring growth, and preventing and managing infectious diseases.