Improving the physical environment

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 126 views

The Influence of Physical Environment and Smoking Habits on Disease in Toddlers in Slums of Tegal Sari Mandala III Village, Medan Denai District

Introduction

The living conditions in slums are often characterized by poor physical environment and unhealthy habits, which can have a significant impact on the health of toddlers. In Tegal Sari Mandala III Village, Medan Denai District, there are several slums where the residents face numerous challenges in maintaining a healthy environment. This study aims to investigate the influence of physical environment and smoking habits on the disease of toddlers in these slums.

Background

The physical environment of a house plays a crucial role in determining the health of its occupants. In slums, the houses are often overcrowded, with inadequate ventilation, lighting, and humidity control. This can lead to the spread of diseases, particularly respiratory tract infections (ARI). Smoking habits in the house can also exacerbate the situation, as second-hand smoke can cause serious health problems in children.

Methodology

This study employed an analytical survey with a cross-sectional design. A total of 50 respondents were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data collection methods included interviews, observations, and measurements. The data were analyzed using Fisher Exact, risk calculation with prevalent ratio, and multivariate analysis with logistics regression.

Results

The results of the study showed that the majority of respondents were aged between 26 to 35 years (58%), with the most education being SLTP graduates (50%) and the most jobs being housewives (52%). The physical environment of the houses was found to be inadequate, with 74% of respondents having natural lighting that did not meet the requirements, 70% having floors that met the requirements, 74% of house humidity being not appropriate, and 58% of ventilation not meeting the standards. Additionally, 72% of family members smoked in the house. In terms of health, 56% of toddlers experienced incomplete immunization and 52% did not receive exclusive breastfeeding.

Analysis

The study found a significant effect of house humidity (p = 0.006, Rp = 1.71, 95% CI = 1,022-2,848), residential density (p = 0.009, Rp = 1.60, 95% CI = 1,008-2,552), and smoking habits in the house (p = 0.001, Rp = 1.89, 95% CI = 1,112-3,208) on the occurrence of ARI in toddlers. Together, smoking and residential density contributed significantly to ARI, with smoking being the dominant factor that affects the prevalent ratio of 17.21. This means that the probability of ARI in toddlers reaches 98%.

Conclusion

The conclusion of this study confirms that moisture, smoking habits, and residential density have a significant influence on ARI in toddlers. The advice given includes increasing natural lighting by letting sunlight enter the house, maintaining personal hygiene and the environment, and eliminating smoking habits in the house. All of these steps are expected to reduce the risk of ARI in toddlers, especially in the context of slums such as in Tegal Sari Mandala III Village.

Recommendations

The importance of a healthy physical environment and clean life behavior must be a major concern for the community and related agencies to create a better and safer environment for children, especially toddlers who are more vulnerable to disease. The following recommendations are made:

Improving the physical environment: The community and related agencies should work together to improve the physical environment of the houses in the slums. This can be achieved by increasing natural lighting, maintaining personal hygiene, and eliminating smoking habits in the house.
Promoting healthy habits: The community and related agencies should promote healthy habits among the residents, including exclusive breastfeeding and complete immunization.
Providing education and awareness: The community and related agencies should provide education and awareness on the importance of a healthy physical environment and clean life behavior.
Supporting vulnerable populations: The community and related agencies should support vulnerable populations, including toddlers, by providing them with access to healthcare services and other necessary resources.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Cross-sectional design: The study employed a cross-sectional design, which may not allow for causal inferences.
Limited data collection methods: The study used limited data collection methods, including interviews, observations, and measurements.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Increase the sample size: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size to ensure that the results are representative of the larger population.
Use a longitudinal design: Future studies should use a longitudinal design to allow for causal inferences.
Use a more comprehensive data collection method: Future studies should use a more comprehensive data collection method, including surveys, interviews, and observations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that the physical environment and smoking habits have a significant influence on the disease of toddlers in slums. The study recommends improving the physical environment, promoting healthy habits, providing education and awareness, and supporting vulnerable populations. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size, use a longitudinal design, and use a more comprehensive data collection method.
Q&A: The Influence of Physical Environment and Smoking Habits on Disease in Toddlers in Slums of Tegal Sari Mandala III Village, Medan Denai District

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of physical environment and smoking habits on the disease of toddlers in slums of Tegal Sari Mandala III Village, Medan Denai District.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study are:

Significant effect of house humidity: The study found a significant effect of house humidity on the occurrence of ARI in toddlers.
Significant effect of residential density: The study found a significant effect of residential density on the occurrence of ARI in toddlers.
Significant effect of smoking habits: The study found a significant effect of smoking habits in the house on the occurrence of ARI in toddlers.
Dominant factor of smoking: The study found that smoking is the dominant factor that affects the prevalent ratio of 17.21, which means that the probability of ARI in toddlers reaches 98%.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study are:

Improving the physical environment: The community and related agencies should work together to improve the physical environment of the houses in the slums.
Promoting healthy habits: The community and related agencies should promote healthy habits among the residents, including exclusive breastfeeding and complete immunization.
Providing education and awareness: The community and related agencies should provide education and awareness on the importance of a healthy physical environment and clean life behavior.
Supporting vulnerable populations: The community and related agencies should support vulnerable populations, including toddlers, by providing them with access to healthcare services and other necessary resources.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Cross-sectional design: The study employed a cross-sectional design, which may not allow for causal inferences.
Limited data collection methods: The study used limited data collection methods, including interviews, observations, and measurements.

Q: What are the future directions of this study?

A: The future directions of this study are:

Increasing the sample size: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size to ensure that the results are representative of the larger population.
Using a longitudinal design: Future studies should use a longitudinal design to allow for causal inferences.
Using a more comprehensive data collection method: Future studies should use a more comprehensive data collection method, including surveys, interviews, and observations.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are:

Importance of a healthy physical environment: The study highlights the importance of a healthy physical environment in preventing the occurrence of ARI in toddlers.
Importance of clean life behavior: The study highlights the importance of clean life behavior, including exclusive breastfeeding and complete immunization, in preventing the occurrence of ARI in toddlers.
Need for education and awareness: The study highlights the need for education and awareness on the importance of a healthy physical environment and clean life behavior.
Need for support for vulnerable populations: The study highlights the need for support for vulnerable populations, including toddlers, by providing them with access to healthcare services and other necessary resources.