Associated Factors of Recurrent Wasting among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2026.15.04.7Keywords:
Wasting recurrence, maternal factors, maternal nutritional status, psychosocial factors, caregiving practicesAbstract
Introduction: Acute malnutrition (wasting) is a major public health problem that contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age. Although nutrition intervention programmes have proven effective, a key challenge in wasting management is the high rate of recurrence after interventions, which continues to sustain the burden of malnutrition. This study aimed to identify factors associated with recurrent wasting among children aged 6-59 months in Maros Regency.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 at Mandai and Turikale Primary Health Centres, involving 250 children with a previous history of wasting selected through purposive sampling. Maternal characteristics were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. Due to the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be established.
Results: The prevalence of wasting recurrence was 26.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that adequate maternal nutritional status was independently associated with a lower likelihood of wasting recurrence (OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.06-0.28; p < 0.001). Similarly, favourable maternal psychosocial conditions, particularly lower levels of anxiety, were significantly associated with reduced odds of recurrence (OR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.00-0.59; p = 0.016). Appropriate maternal caregiving practices were also associated with decreased likelihood of recurrent wasting (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09-0.92; p = 0.03). Household income showed a marginal association with wasting recurrence but did not reach statistical significance in the adjusted model.
Conclusion: Maternal nutritional status, psychosocial well-being, and caregiving practices were significantly associated with the recurrence of wasting among children aged 6-59 months. These findings suggest that maternal-related factors are important correlates of wasting recurrence. However, given the cross-sectional design, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to better understand potential causal pathways.
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