Hanna Letare Winroriauli Sinaga, Berlianti Berlianti

Pengasuhan Orang Tua pada Anak dengan Stunting di Kecamatan Siantar Utara, Kota Pematangsiantar

Introduction

Pengasuhan orang tua pada anak dengan stunting di kecamatan siantar utara, kota pematangsiantar. Kaji pengasuhan orang tua (neglectful, permisif) yang memicu stunting pada anak di Siantar Utara. Analisis gizi, kesehatan, sosioekonomi & pengetahuan rendah orang tua.

Abstract

This study was motivated by the high number of stunted children found in stunting locations, namely in Kelurahan Kahean and Sigulang-gulang, Kecamatan Siantar Utara, Kota Pematangsiantar. This study also found indications of inadequate parenting patterns in terms of nutrition and child health care. This condition is a serious concern because stunting not only affects children's physical growth but also influences their cognitive development and future quality of life. To understand this phenomenon in depth, this study used a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, literature studies, and documentation, involving six main informants. The results of the study revealed that 4 of the 6 parents with stunted children practiced inadequate parenting, particularly neglectful parenting, which was the most dominant parenting style. This neglectful parenting style was characterized by a lack of adequate supervision and attention to providing nutritious food and health care for children. Parents who apply this parenting style tend to consistently ignore their children's nutritional and health needs, thereby increasing the risk of stunting. In addition, some parents also apply a permissive parenting style, which is characterized by allowing children to freely choose food without clear boundaries or rules. As a result, children often consume unhealthy foods and have irregular eating schedules. In addition to parenting factors, limited socioeconomic conditions also exacerbate the risk of stunting. Parents' low level of knowledge about balanced nutrition and child health care further increases the likelihood of children experiencing stunting. This shows that economic and educational factors are major obstacles in efforts to prevent stunting in the Kecamatan Siantar Utara.

Review

This qualitative study provides timely and valuable insights into the complex interplay of parenting styles and socioeconomic factors contributing to stunting in Kecamatan Siantar Utara. By focusing on a high-prevalence area, the research effectively highlights how inadequate parenting, particularly neglectful and permissive styles, directly impacts children's nutritional intake and health care. The findings reveal a concerning pattern where a significant majority of parents in the sample demonstrated a lack of supervision, attention to nutritious food, and consistent health care, often compounded by allowing children unrestricted food choices. The methodology, encompassing in-depth interviews and observations with six main informants, offers a granular understanding of the local context, which is crucial for developing targeted interventions. A significant strength of this research lies in its ability to delve beyond mere statistical correlation to uncover the underlying behavioral and attitudinal aspects of parenting that exacerbate stunting. Identifying "neglectful parenting" as the dominant style, characterized by a consistent disregard for children's fundamental nutritional and health needs, provides a clear target for intervention strategies. Furthermore, the recognition of "permissive parenting" leading to unhealthy eating habits reinforces the need for structured guidance and boundaries within the household. The study commendably links these parenting deficiencies to broader issues such as limited socioeconomic conditions and low parental knowledge, acknowledging the multi-faceted nature of stunting and underscoring that economic and educational barriers are substantial impediments to prevention efforts. The implications of this study are profound for public health initiatives aimed at combating stunting. The findings strongly suggest that interventions must extend beyond general nutritional education to include specific parenting skills training, addressing both neglectful and permissive behaviors. Such programs should focus on fostering greater parental awareness, responsibility, and consistent implementation of healthy eating practices and child health monitoring. While the qualitative nature and small sample size limit generalizability, the rich contextual data generated here offers critical insights for local policymakers and community health workers to design culturally sensitive and effective strategies that tackle the behavioral, economic, and educational determinants of stunting in similar high-risk communities.

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