The Relationship of Hand Washing Behavior and Type of Latrine with Stunting Incident

Stunting is a linear growth disorder in which a child's body is very
short based on height-for-age with a Z-score threshold of < -2 SD. Silalahi
sub-district has a stunting prevalence above 30%. Multi-dimensional factors,
including environmental factors, cause stunted. Environmental factors that
cause stunting are the mother's personal hygiene, sanitation, clean water,
and drinking water sources. This study aimed to determine the relationship
between washing hands with soap and latrine ownership with stunting in
toddlers. Observational study with a case-control design in
Silalahisabungan District, Dairi Regency. All stunted toddlers were taken as
cases (78), and 78 toddlers were selected as controls, which were selected
using systematic random sampling. The study results showed that there
were stunting toddlers, namely 84 6% with the behavior of washing hands
with soap did not meet the requirements, and 44.9% of toddlers suffering
from stunting were in the age range of 21-40 months. Bivariate analysis
using the chi-square test showed an effect of Handwashing with Soap
(p=0.002, OR=2.727) and Latrine Ownership (p=0.001, OR=3.048) on the
incidence of stunting in toddlers. Management of stunting events requires
good coordination and collaboration between health workers, the
government, and the community in reducing risk factors.