Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Best of GradCon Award Winner: Poster Presentations - Humanities and Social Sciences
Purpose: Infant and child growth is understood as an important indicator of nutritional status and health in populations. Stunting, wasting, and being underweight are the indicators used to measure child growth and reflect nutritional imbalance resulting in undernutrition. The World Health Organization has cited Indonesia as one of five countries that have child stunting higher than both the regional and global averages, making this a priority issue for the government as well as clinics across the country including Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) Clinic located in Sukadana, Borneo. The aim of this study is to gain information on the target population to inform a tailored intervention within the capacity and existing programming of the clinic.
Methods and Materials: A health assessment survey was implemented in the clinic and in the surrounding community to measure differences in malnutrition outcomes based on household factors, access to quality health care, issues during pregnancy, maternal and child health, breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, and quality of child diet.
Results: Out of a rich variety of results, some factors were associated with higher rates of malnutrition outcomes or were otherwise noteworthy. Rates of stunting and underweight were 32% and 48% respectively in households with smoking exposure in the home compared to 14% and 27% respectively in households with no smoking. There was a difference in rates of stunting and underweight children from mothers who reported having a cough during their pregnancies (31% and 44% respectively) compared to mothers who reported not having a cough (20% and 34% respectively). Additionally, there was a 13% difference in stunting and an 11% difference in wasted and an 11% difference in underweight in children who had a cough in the last month. Although almost all mothers breastfed their child at some point, initiating and maintaining breastfeeding did not always follow best practices. Stunting and underweight were 23% and 15% higher, respectively, in children that received liquids or food other than breastmilk under 6 months compared to those 6 months or older. Additionally, stunting and underweight were 50% and 31% higher, respectively, in children who first received solid foods under 6 months. The majority of mothers did not believe that stunting was an issue in the community or identified specific causes. Mothers also held the belief that a multitude of foods should be avoided during and after pregnancy to prevent convulsions and luge (weak disease).
Significance: ASRI Clinic can address childhood stunting and malnutrition outcomes in Sukadana and Simpang Hilir by investing in community education focusing on tobacco cessation, breastfeeding and nutrition. Within the clinic, ASRI can implement policies and procedures to support patients in smoking cessation and best breastfeeding practices. In addition, the clinic can partner with Puskesmas to continue education and monitoring outside of the clinic.
Originality: This is the first time that ASRI clinic has investigated malnutrition outcomes in their community and has partnered with the University of Montana to assess a health disparity.
Investigating Childhood Stunting and Malnutrition Outcomes in Sukadana and Simpang Hilir, Indonesia
UC North Ballroom
Best of GradCon Award Winner: Poster Presentations - Humanities and Social Sciences
Purpose: Infant and child growth is understood as an important indicator of nutritional status and health in populations. Stunting, wasting, and being underweight are the indicators used to measure child growth and reflect nutritional imbalance resulting in undernutrition. The World Health Organization has cited Indonesia as one of five countries that have child stunting higher than both the regional and global averages, making this a priority issue for the government as well as clinics across the country including Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) Clinic located in Sukadana, Borneo. The aim of this study is to gain information on the target population to inform a tailored intervention within the capacity and existing programming of the clinic.
Methods and Materials: A health assessment survey was implemented in the clinic and in the surrounding community to measure differences in malnutrition outcomes based on household factors, access to quality health care, issues during pregnancy, maternal and child health, breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, and quality of child diet.
Results: Out of a rich variety of results, some factors were associated with higher rates of malnutrition outcomes or were otherwise noteworthy. Rates of stunting and underweight were 32% and 48% respectively in households with smoking exposure in the home compared to 14% and 27% respectively in households with no smoking. There was a difference in rates of stunting and underweight children from mothers who reported having a cough during their pregnancies (31% and 44% respectively) compared to mothers who reported not having a cough (20% and 34% respectively). Additionally, there was a 13% difference in stunting and an 11% difference in wasted and an 11% difference in underweight in children who had a cough in the last month. Although almost all mothers breastfed their child at some point, initiating and maintaining breastfeeding did not always follow best practices. Stunting and underweight were 23% and 15% higher, respectively, in children that received liquids or food other than breastmilk under 6 months compared to those 6 months or older. Additionally, stunting and underweight were 50% and 31% higher, respectively, in children who first received solid foods under 6 months. The majority of mothers did not believe that stunting was an issue in the community or identified specific causes. Mothers also held the belief that a multitude of foods should be avoided during and after pregnancy to prevent convulsions and luge (weak disease).
Significance: ASRI Clinic can address childhood stunting and malnutrition outcomes in Sukadana and Simpang Hilir by investing in community education focusing on tobacco cessation, breastfeeding and nutrition. Within the clinic, ASRI can implement policies and procedures to support patients in smoking cessation and best breastfeeding practices. In addition, the clinic can partner with Puskesmas to continue education and monitoring outside of the clinic.
Originality: This is the first time that ASRI clinic has investigated malnutrition outcomes in their community and has partnered with the University of Montana to assess a health disparity.