Shilnia Rahmatika, Dewi Nugrahaeni Restu Mastuti, Jaya Maulana, Aisya Nurul Falla, Fadhilla Anisa Nur Aini, Zubaidah Tsania Ulul Azmi

FACTORS AFFECTING THE INCIDENCE OF ISPA TO TODDLERS IN THE BENDAN HEALTH CENTER WORKING AREA

Introduction

Factors affecting the incidence of ispa to toddlers in the bendan health center working area. Explore factors affecting ISPA incidence in toddlers at Bendan Health Center. Research highlights lighting levels as a significant factor, contrasting with humidity or smoking habits.

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (2023), there are 13 million deaths from acute respiratory infections (ARI) each year, with 4 million occurring in Indonesia. The goal is to reduce ARI deaths by 25% from 2021-2022 and achieve a 10% reduction in mortality over the next seven years. In Indonesia, 4.8% of children under five are diagnosed with ARI, particularly in densely populated areas like Central Java. Factors such as humidity, smoking habits, and maternal education contribute to the risk of ARI in young children. To study these risk factors in Kelurahan Bendan Kergon, analytic quantitative research was conducted in November-December 2024. The population consisted of 870 toddlers aged 1-5 years, with 100 samples selected using the slovin technique. The study used a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling and measured variables using hygrometer and lux meter instruments. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis, which revealed that some variables, such as knowledge, smoking behavior, and humidity, were not associated with the incidence of ARI. However, lighting level was found to be a significant variable.

Review

This manuscript addresses a highly relevant and critical public health issue: the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI/ISPA) in toddlers. Given the substantial mortality and morbidity associated with ARI globally and within Indonesia, identifying modifiable risk factors in specific community settings is of paramount importance for developing effective preventive strategies. The stated aim to reduce ARI deaths underscores the practical significance of this research, and the focus on the Bendan Health Center working area provides valuable context for local public health initiatives. The study's finding regarding lighting level, while initially surprising, presents a novel avenue for exploring environmental determinants of ARI. However, the methodological description raises several critical concerns. Foremost, the abstract states the research was conducted in "November-December 2024." As this date lies in the future, it casts serious doubt on the authenticity of the presented results and requires immediate clarification. Beyond this fundamental issue, while the use of a cross-sectional design is acceptable for exploring associations, the combination of Slovin technique for sample size determination (100 from 870 toddlers) with "purposive sampling" for participant selection requires stronger justification. Purposive sampling can introduce bias and limit the generalizability of findings in an "analytic quantitative" study aiming to identify generalizable risk factors. Furthermore, while the use of hygrometer and lux meter offers objective measurement for environmental variables, the abstract lacks sufficient detail on how "knowledge" and "smoking behavior" were assessed, which is crucial given their reported non-association with ARI incidence. The core findings, stating that knowledge, smoking behavior, and humidity were *not* associated with ARI, while lighting level *was* a significant variable, are both unexpected and intriguing. Given the widely established evidence for the detrimental effects of smoking and inadequate humidity control on respiratory health, these non-associations warrant deeper scrutiny and perhaps a re-evaluation of measurement validity or local contextual factors. The significance of lighting level is particularly noteworthy and could point to indirect effects related to overall indoor air quality, ventilation, or even socioeconomic indicators, which are not explicitly explored. Future research should first and foremost clarify the actual study period. Subsequently, it would benefit from a more rigorous sampling strategy to enhance generalizability, a detailed exposition of all variable measurements, and a deeper exploration into the mechanisms by which lighting level might influence ARI incidence in toddlers. Replication with a larger, more representative sample and possibly a longitudinal design would be beneficial to confirm these findings and establish causality.

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