The Influence of Environmental Sanitation and Maternal Behavior on the Incidence of Diarrhea in Toddlers in the City of Medan in 2023

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 88 views

The Influence of Environmental Sanitation and Maternal Behavior on the Incidence of Diarrhea in Toddlers in the City of Medan in 2023

Introduction

Diarrhea is a serious health problem that affects millions of children worldwide, resulting in a significant number of deaths every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 525,000 cases of death occur annually due to diarrhea in toddlers. In Indonesia, data from Riskesdas 2018 shows that there are 73,188 cases of diarrhea among toddlers. Specifically for Medan, the number of cases of diarrhea in 2020 reached 4,561 and increased dramatically to 18,588 cases in 2021. The main causes of diarrhea are often closely related to environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior.

The Importance of Environmental Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene are crucial factors in preventing the spread of diarrhea among toddlers. Inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices can lead to the contamination of food and water, increasing the risk of diarrhea. In the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2020-2024 period, it was noted that 69.27% of households in Indonesia did not have adequate sanitation. This shows the need for more attention to efforts to improve the quality of sanitation and awareness of cleanliness in the community.

The Role of Maternal Behavior in Preventing Diarrhea

Maternal behavior plays a significant role in preventing diarrhea among toddlers. Mothers who practice good personal hygiene and have knowledge about sanitation and hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea in their children. This study aims to analyze the effect of environmental sanitation and maternal behavior on the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers in the city of Medan.

Methodology

This study is a quantitative research with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 120 mothers who have a 2-5-year-old toddler. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression tests to determine the effect of environmental sanitation and maternal behavior on the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers.

Results

The results of the study showed that the mother's personal hygiene behavior had a significant influence on the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers (p = 0.019). This suggests that mothers who practice good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea in their children. However, the knowledge variable (p = 0.042) and attitudes (p = 0.186) did not show significant effects.

In terms of environmental sanitation, clean water sources variables (p = 0.456), toilet ownership (p = 1,000), waste management (p = 0.361), and waste disposal facilities (p = 1,000) also did not affect the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers.

Further Analysis

Further analysis shows that the mother's personal hygiene is the most influential factor for the incidence of diarrhea with the highest exp.b value of 3,387. This confirms the importance of the role of mothers in maintaining children's cleanliness and health. Good behavior in personal hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea and improve the health of toddlers.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, it is recommended that health workers promote and health education that focuses on basic sanitation and personal hygiene to mothers and families who have toddlers, both diarrhea and those who do not. It is also important to synergize data on diarrhea in toddlers between puskesmas and the practice of doctors/midwives. This effort is expected to reduce the incidence of diarrhea and improve children's health in the city of Medan.

Recommendations

Increasing public awareness about the importance of environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior is crucial to overcome the problem of diarrhea among toddlers. Through this research, it is expected to be a reference for policy makers in developing effective strategies to improve children's health in Indonesia.

Limitations of the Study

This study has some limitations. The sample size is relatively small, and the study only focuses on mothers who have a 2-5-year-old toddler. Future studies can expand the sample size and include other factors that may affect the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers.

Future Research Directions

Future research can explore other factors that may affect the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers, such as the role of fathers, siblings, and other family members. Additionally, studies can investigate the effectiveness of health education programs in promoting environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior among mothers and families.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of environmental sanitation and maternal behavior in preventing diarrhea among toddlers. The findings of this study suggest that mothers who practice good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea in their children. Therefore, health workers and policy makers should promote and health education that focuses on basic sanitation and personal hygiene to mothers and families who have toddlers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Environmental Sanitation and Maternal Behavior on the Incidence of Diarrhea in Toddlers in the City of Medan in 2023

Q: What is the main cause of diarrhea among toddlers?

A: The main causes of diarrhea among toddlers are often closely related to environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior. Inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices can lead to the contamination of food and water, increasing the risk of diarrhea.

Q: What is the role of maternal behavior in preventing diarrhea among toddlers?

A: Maternal behavior plays a significant role in preventing diarrhea among toddlers. Mothers who practice good personal hygiene and have knowledge about sanitation and hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea in their children.

Q: What are the key findings of the study?

A: The study found that the mother's personal hygiene behavior had a significant influence on the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers (p = 0.019). However, the knowledge variable (p = 0.042) and attitudes (p = 0.186) did not show significant effects.

Q: What is the most influential factor for the incidence of diarrhea among toddlers?

A: The mother's personal hygiene is the most influential factor for the incidence of diarrhea among toddlers with the highest exp.b value of 3,387.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The study recommends that health workers promote and health education that focuses on basic sanitation and personal hygiene to mothers and families who have toddlers, both diarrhea and those who do not. It is also important to synergize data on diarrhea in toddlers between puskesmas and the practice of doctors/midwives.

Q: What is the importance of environmental sanitation in preventing diarrhea among toddlers?

A: Environmental sanitation is crucial in preventing diarrhea among toddlers. Inadequate sanitation can lead to the contamination of food and water, increasing the risk of diarrhea.

Q: What is the role of health education in promoting environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior among mothers and families?

A: Health education plays a significant role in promoting environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior among mothers and families. Health education can increase awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene and encourage mothers and families to practice good hygiene habits.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has some limitations. The sample size is relatively small, and the study only focuses on mothers who have a 2-5-year-old toddler. Future studies can expand the sample size and include other factors that may affect the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research can explore other factors that may affect the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers, such as the role of fathers, siblings, and other family members. Additionally, studies can investigate the effectiveness of health education programs in promoting environmental sanitation and personal hygiene behavior among mothers and families.

Q: What is the conclusion of the study?

A: In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of environmental sanitation and maternal behavior in preventing diarrhea among toddlers. The findings of this study suggest that mothers who practice good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrhea in their children. Therefore, health workers and policy makers should promote and health education that focuses on basic sanitation and personal hygiene to mothers and families who have toddlers.