Document Type : Original Article
Author
alperdani1989@gmail.com
Abstract
Background . Stunting in toddlers is linked to maternal nutrition at birth, with early-age pregnancy (under 20 years) being a major risk factor. The prevalence of stunting increased by 1.2% from 2007 to 2013. Many young mothers experience undernutrition due to body image concerns and lack of education, leading to inadequate weight gain and a higher risk of preterm births, a key factor in stunting. Early marriage also exposes women to biological and social risks affecting child health. This study explores adolescent mothers’ experiences in caring for stunted children, using a qualitative approach to gain more understanding related with their caring practice
Method. This qualitative study design used case study approach and used Colaizzi seven steps for analysis on two respondents. Data collection was carried out in June 2023 among adolescent mothers less than 20 years old who had stunted children aged 0-60 months with anthropometric measurement based on Height/Age <-3 SD. The research instrument were used 15 semi-structured questions for interview, a tape recorder, observation sheets consisting of assessment, medical history, and physical examination.
Results. From the results obtained, 10 subcategories, and 4 categories were extracted. The first category is incorrect feeding rules which are divided into providing instant or fortified food and negative habits during meal time. The second category is the inability to provide exclusive breastfeeding divided into unsmooth milk production and incomplete exclusive breastfeeding. The third category is practice health risk behavior and the last is inadequate weight gain
Conclusion. To provide quality care services for adolescent mothers who have children with stunting, the role of health workers must be increased in providing education so that inexperienced adolescent mothers and their families feel ready to care for children with stunting which can reduce the risk of prognosis.
Keywords
)