HUBUNGAN TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP IBU TENTANG POLA MAKAN BALITA TERHADAP STATUS GIZI BALITA DI KECAMATAN SIULAK KABUPATEN KERINCI PROVINSI JAMBI TAHUN 2026

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Nutritional problems among children under five remain a public health concern in Indonesia because they affect children’s growth and development. One factor influencing nutritional status is mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward child feeding practices. This study aimed to determine the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding practices and the nutritional status of children under five in Siulak District in 2026. Methods: This analytical quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design involving 68 mothers with children aged 1–5 years. The independent variables were mothers’ knowledge and attitudes, while the dependent variable was the nutritional status of children under five. Data were collected using questionnaires and anthropometric assessment based on the Weight-for-Age (W/A) index and analyzed using univariate analysis and Spearman’s Rank correlation test (p<0.05). Results: Most mothers had good knowledge (52.9%) and positive attitudes (39.7%). Most children had normal nutritional status (83.8%). Significant relationships were found between mothers’ knowledge and children’s nutritional status (r=0.712; p=0.001) and between mothers’ attitudes and children’s nutritional status (r=0.482; p=0.012). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding practices were significantly associated with the nutritional status of children under five in Siulak District in 2026. Keywords: Mothers’ Knowledge, Mothers’ Attitudes, Child