Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian Diare pada Balita di Kelurahan Bagan Deli Kecamatan Medan Belawan Tahun 2025

Abstract

Diarrhea is the occurrence of defecation with a stool consistency that is more liquid than usual with a frequency of three or more times in one day. Diarrheal disease is the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, causing 443,832 deaths each year. Medan Belawan sub-district with a population of 66,543 people had 299 cases of diarrhea in 2024. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the incidence of diarrhea in toddlers in Bagan Deli Village, Meadan Belawan District. This type of research is analytic research with a cross sectional approach. The sample consisted of 90 respondents who were taken by purposive sampling technique by collecting data using a questionnaire. Data analysis using chi square statistical test. The results showed that there was a relationship between education (p=0,002), clean water sources (p=0,003), feces disposal (p=0,001), hand washing with soap (p=0,003), and exclusive breastfeeding (p=0,003). Age (p=0,132), and occupation (p=1,000) were not associated. It is recommended that mothers of toddlers practice good hygiene habits such as washing hands before eating, after defecating, and before breastfeeding. Ensure that the water used for drinking, cooking, and bathing is clean. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is also important to boost the toddler's immune system. Additionally, the community should prioritize environmental sanitation, particularly proper waste disposal, which should be done through a sanitary toilet connected to a septic tank rather than directly into the sea to avoid environmental contamination. The Medan Belawan Health Center should strengthen health education efforts by involving community health workers or local leaders through visual media such as posters, short videos, and handwashing demonstrations on diarrhea prevention.