A Longitudinal Study: Predictors of Diarrhea Incidence in 3-6 Months Infants, Tulungagung, East Java

Abstract

Tulungagung District, East Java Province, experienced high diarrhea morbidity. Diarrhea outbreak are common with more than 30 cases in 2012. Less than 5 year old children have higher digestive infection stage of susceptibility than adult’s. Exclusive breastfeeding coverage was below national standard. This study analyzed predictors of diarrhea incidence in 3-6 months in Tulungagung District. This study was a longitudinal study that took place in four health centers in Tulungagung. Subjects were pairs of mother and her infant. Observation started when the infant was 3 months with 13 times observation, once in a week (March-April 2016). Midwives would collect data. Samples were chose by consecutive. Inclusion criteria such as: 2 months of exclusive breastfeeding, 3 months of age infants and not experienced malnutrition. Sample size was 136 participants. Results showed that The second model was chosen as the good fit model. Risk factors that affect diarrhea incidence are breastfeeding pattern, economics status, and mother’s hygiene practice.  Mother’s age was confounding factor. Conclusion: Breastfeeding pattern was the most dominant factors that affect  diarrhea susceptibility in 3-6 months age infants.

Keywords: diarrhea, cohort, breastfeeding patterns, exclusive breastfeeding, risk factors