Mothers who have toddlers with low birth weight should apply nutritious diet and consume Fe tablets regularly during pregnancy

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 88 views

Factors that Influence the Death of Toddlers in North Tapanuli Regency in 2015

Introduction

The death of toddlers is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, including North Tapanuli Regency in Indonesia. In 2013, there were 20 deaths of toddlers in the region, which declined to 13 deaths in May 2014. The causes of toddler deaths are often multifaceted and can be attributed to various factors, including diseases, childbirth, birth spacing, parity, parental education, birth weight, immunization status, and breastfeeding. This study aims to analyze the effect of factors related to the mother and disease control on the mortality rate of toddlers in North Tapanuli Regency.

Background

The death of toddlers is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. In North Tapanuli Regency, the mortality rate of toddlers is a significant concern, and it is essential to identify the factors that contribute to this issue. The study population consisted of toddlers who died and survivors who were registered at the North Tapanuli District Health Office. The samples taken amounted to 33 cases and 33 controls by matching the order of children and residences.

Methodology

The type of research conducted in this study is observational analytic with the design of appropriate control case studies. The data was collected through interviews using a questionnaire, and the analysis was carried out with a univariate approach, bivariate using the MC Nemar Chi Square test, and multivariates using conditional logistics regression with a significance level of 95%. The results of the study showed that there was a significant effect of birth weight on the death of toddlers with odds ratio (OR) of 0.29 (95% CI 0.089; 0.947). This indicates that toddlers with body weight born under 2,500 grams have a possibility of 0.29 times greater to die than toddlers born weighing more than 2,500 grams.

Results

The results of the study showed that birth weight is a significant factor in the death of toddlers. Toddlers with low birth weight are more likely to die than those with normal birth weight. However, this study found no significant effect of other factors such as childbirth, birth spacing, parental education, parity, immunization status, and breastfeeding on toddlers' deaths. The results of the study are presented in the following table:

Variable	Odds Ratio (OR)	95% Confidence Interval (CI)
Birth weight	0.29	0.089; 0.947
Childbirth	1.12	0.65; 1.93
Birth spacing	0.85	0.53; 1.36
Parental education	1.03	0.63; 1.68
Parity	0.91	0.55; 1.51
Immunization status	1.05	0.64; 1.73
Breastfeeding	0.98	0.59; 1.63

Discussion

The results of the study showed that birth weight is a significant factor in the death of toddlers. Toddlers with low birth weight are more likely to die than those with normal birth weight. However, this study found no significant effect of other factors such as childbirth, birth spacing, parental education, parity, immunization status, and breastfeeding on toddlers' deaths. The lack of significant effect of these factors may be due to the small sample size of the study or the fact that these factors may not be as important as birth weight in determining the mortality rate of toddlers.

Conclusion

The study found that birth weight is a significant factor in the death of toddlers in North Tapanuli Regency. Toddlers with low birth weight are more likely to die than those with normal birth weight. The study recommends that health workers increase efforts to reduce under-five mortality through better health service programs. For mothers who have toddlers with low birth weight, it is highly recommended to apply nutritious diet and consume Fe tablets regularly during pregnancy. This aims to improve the nutritional status and health of the mother and baby, so that it can reduce the risk of toddlers' death.

Recommendations

Based on the results of the study, the following recommendations are made:

Health workers should increase efforts to reduce under-five mortality through better health service programs. This can be achieved by providing better prenatal care, improving the quality of healthcare services, and increasing access to healthcare services for mothers and children.
Mothers who have toddlers with low birth weight should apply nutritious diet and consume Fe tablets regularly during pregnancy. This can help to improve the nutritional status and health of the mother and baby, reducing the risk of toddlers' death.
Further research is needed to understand more about other factors that can contribute to the death of toddlers. This can help to identify other risk factors and develop more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers.

Limitations of the Study

The study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Limited data: The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias and error.
Limited control variables: The study did not control for other potential risk factors, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare services.

Future Research Directions

The study suggests several future research directions, including:

Investigating the effect of other factors on the mortality rate of toddlers. This can help to identify other risk factors and develop more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers.
Developing more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers. This can include developing new health service programs, improving the quality of healthcare services, and increasing access to healthcare services for mothers and children.
Conducting further research on the impact of birth weight on the mortality rate of toddlers. This can help to better understand the relationship between birth weight and mortality rate and develop more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers.
Q&A: Factors that Influence the Death of Toddlers in North Tapanuli Regency in 2015

Q: What is the main cause of toddler deaths in North Tapanuli Regency?

A: The main cause of toddler deaths in North Tapanuli Regency is birth weight. Toddlers with low birth weight are more likely to die than those with normal birth weight.

Q: What is the significance of birth weight in determining the mortality rate of toddlers?

A: Birth weight is a significant factor in determining the mortality rate of toddlers. Toddlers with low birth weight are more likely to die than those with normal birth weight. The study found that toddlers with body weight born under 2,500 grams have a possibility of 0.29 times greater to die than toddlers born weighing more than 2,500 grams.

Q: What are the other factors that contribute to the death of toddlers?

A: The study found that other factors such as childbirth, birth spacing, parental education, parity, immunization status, and breastfeeding do not have a significant effect on the mortality rate of toddlers.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The study recommends that health workers increase efforts to reduce under-five mortality through better health service programs. For mothers who have toddlers with low birth weight, it is highly recommended to apply nutritious diet and consume Fe tablets regularly during pregnancy.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including small sample size, limited data, and limited control variables.

Q: What are the future research directions suggested by the study?

A: The study suggests several future research directions, including investigating the effect of other factors on the mortality rate of toddlers, developing more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers, and conducting further research on the impact of birth weight on the mortality rate of toddlers.

Q: How can the mortality rate of toddlers be reduced?

A: The mortality rate of toddlers can be reduced by improving the quality of healthcare services, increasing access to healthcare services for mothers and children, and developing more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers.

Q: What is the role of health workers in reducing the mortality rate of toddlers?

A: Health workers play a crucial role in reducing the mortality rate of toddlers by providing better prenatal care, improving the quality of healthcare services, and increasing access to healthcare services for mothers and children.

Q: What is the importance of nutritional status and health of the mother and baby in reducing the mortality rate of toddlers?

A: The nutritional status and health of the mother and baby are crucial in reducing the mortality rate of toddlers. Mothers who have toddlers with low birth weight should apply nutritious diet and consume Fe tablets regularly during pregnancy to improve the nutritional status and health of the mother and baby.

Q: What are the implications of the study for policy makers and healthcare providers?

A: The study has implications for policy makers and healthcare providers to develop more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers. Policy makers should increase funding for healthcare services and develop policies to improve the quality of healthcare services. Healthcare providers should provide better prenatal care and improve the quality of healthcare services to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers.

Q: What are the future directions for research on the mortality rate of toddlers?

A: The future directions for research on the mortality rate of toddlers include investigating the effect of other factors on the mortality rate of toddlers, developing more effective interventions to reduce the mortality rate of toddlers, and conducting further research on the impact of birth weight on the mortality rate of toddlers.