Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health
Vol 8, No 1 (2026): CONTAGION

An Analysis of Stunting Determinants in North Tapanuli Regency

Emilia Silvana Sitompul (Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Medan)
Juana Linda Simbolon (Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Medan)
Marni Siregar (Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Medan)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

There has been a decline in stunting prevalence nationally in the last two years, requiring a more specific analysis of local determinants to optimize interventions at the regional level, especially in areas with geographical characteristics such as North Tapanuli Regency. This study aims to analyze the effect of nutritional intake, environmental sanitation, immunization status, and medical history on the incidence of stunting in toddlers. This quantitative study with a cross-sectional design involved 71 stunted toddler respondents in four working areas of the Community Health Center in North Tapanuli Regency. The data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test for bivariate analysis and Path Analysis to see the direct and indirect effects. The path analysis results showed that nutritional intake (0.365), sanitation (0.146), and immunization status (0.141) had a significant direct effect on stunting. Nutritional intake was the most dominant determining factor (p=0.010). Conversely, medical history (p=0.485) did not show a significant relationship and did not play a strong mediating role in this model. Nutritional intake is a key factor in determining the severity of stunting. Intervention strategies should focus on meeting the specific nutritional needs of toddlers in addition to improving sanitation and basic immunization coverageKeywords: Stunting, Nutritional Intake, Infectious Diseases, Sanitation, Immunization 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

contagion

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Public Health

Description

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health, A Scientific Periodic Journal of Public Health published by the Public health Study Program of The Faculty of Public Health UINSU Medan. This Journal prioritiez the collaboration of lecturers and students with scope of the ...