ANALYSIS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING ON THE INCIDENCE OF WASTING AMONG TODDLERS IN THE WORKING AREA OF TAKERAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, MAGETAN REGENCY

Abstract

Undernutrition among toddlers remains a public health problem that can hinder children's growth and Wasting among toddlers remains a public health problem that can hinder children's growth and development. One of the direct determinants suspected of influencing toddlers' nutritional status is exclusive breastfeeding. In the working area of Takeran Community Health Center, the number of toddlers experiencing wasting has continued to rise, from 26 cases in 2023 to 124 cases in 2025. This study aimed to analyze exclusive breastfeeding practices and their effect on the incidence of wasting among toddlers in the working area of Takeran Community Health Center, Magetan Regency. This study used a quantitative observational analytic method with a case-control design and a retrospective approach. The sample consisted of 64 toddlers, comprising 32 in the case group (wasting) and 32 in the control group (non-wasting), selected using simple random sampling. Data on the history of exclusive breastfeeding were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed univariately and bivariately using the Chi-Square test. The results showed that most toddlers had received exclusive breastfeeding, namely 43 toddlers (67.2%), while 21 toddlers (32.8%) had not. The Chi-Square test showed no significant effect of exclusive breastfeeding on the incidence of wasting among toddlers (p = 0.594; OR = 1.533; 95% CI: 0.536-4.389). It is concluded that although the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in this area is relatively good, toddlers' nutritional status is more strongly determined by feeding practices after six months of age and other accompanying factors. Therefore, education on exclusive breastfeeding should be continued alongside strengthening the provision of adequate complementary feeding.