Environmental and Behavioral Drivers of ARI Incidence in Toddlers: Insights from Darul Kamal Health Center, Aceh Besar

Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a disease that often attacks toddlers. This study aims to analyze the influence of the presence of family members who smoke, completeness of immunization, exclusive breastfeeding, and low birth weight (LBW) on the incidence of ARI in toddlers in the working area of the Darul Kamal Health Center, Aceh Besar, in 2023. An observational analytical method with a cross-sectional approach was used on a sample of 78 toddlers. It was found that toddlers who live with family members who smoke, have incomplete immunization, do not receive exclusive breastfeeding, or are LBW tend to be at greater risk of experiencing ARI. As many as 61.5% of the total sample of children under five experienced ARI, indicating a reasonably high prevalence in the area. Further analysis revealed that complete immunization and exclusive breastfeeding act as protective factors, while the presence of family members who smoke and LBW increases the risk of ARI in toddlers. This study emphasizes the importance of public health education regarding clean and healthy living behaviour, as well as the importance of immunization and exclusive breastfeeding in preventing ARI in toddlers. The conclusions of this study suggest the need for a comprehensive prevention strategy involving health stakeholders and the community to reduce the prevalence of ARI in children under five in the Darul Kamal Community Health Center working area, Aceh Besar