Hubungan Pola Makan dan Personal Hygiene dengan Kejadian Gastroenteritis pada Balita di Rumah Sakit Umum Haji Medan Tahun 2025

Abstract

Gastroenteritis is an infectious disease that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Gastroenteritis with diarrhea as its main symptom makes diarrhea and gastroenteritis closely related conditions. In 2021, diarrhea accounted for 9 percents of all child deaths, and in Indonesia it is the leading cause of under-five mortality with a 25 percents incidence. At Haji Medan General Hospital, the prevalence of gastroenteritis in toddlers reached 40 percents in 2023, with a 2 percents increase in 2024. This study aims to analyze the relationship between eating patterns and personal hygiene and the occurrence of gastroenteritis in toddlers at Haji Medan General Hospital in 2025. The study used a cross-sectional design with 152 samples selected through incidental sampling. Data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire at Haji Medan General Hospital and analyzed using the chi-square test. Most toddlers were aged 0–24 months (57.9%), male (50.7%), and had a normal BMI (78.3%). The results showed that eating patterns (p<0.015) and personal hygiene (p<0.017) were significantly associated with gastroenteritis. Poor handwashing habits of mothers and toddlers, as well as inadequate food preparation and serving practices, contributed to the occurrence of gastroenteritis. Strengthening sanitation and hygiene education and improving mothers/caregiver’s compliance with cleanliness and participation in health counseling are recommended.