Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is an acute infection that attacks one or more parts of the respiratory tract. Factors that contribute to risk factors for ARI in toddlers include exclusive breastfeeding, nutritional status of toddlers, immunization status of toddlers, vitamin A consumption, zinc consumption, and tetanus injections in mothers. This study aims to determine the risk factors for recurrence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in children under five in the Tanjungsari Pacitan Health Center Working Area.
The method used in this research is an analytical survey with a cross sectional approach. The research sample consisted of 50 respondents, namely mothers who had toddlers who had suffered from ARI in May 2024. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test by calculating the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and logistic regression test to determine the variables the most dominant.
The results showed that nutritional status (p-value = 0.002; OR adj 21; 95% CI = 2.47-178.2), administration of vitamin A (p-value = 0.003, OR adj = 18.7 95% CI = 2.20-158.0), and exclusive breastfeeding (p-value = 0.001; OR adj = 16.2 95% CI = 3.09-85.4). The dominant factor associated with the incidence of ARI recurrence in toddlers is the administration of vitamin A (p-value = 0.004; OR adj = 89.75).
Ways that mothers of toddlers can use to reduce the recurrence of ARI in toddlers are by maintaining good nutritional intake for their toddlers, providing vitamin A which can be obtained free of charge at the Community Health Center or at the Posyandu in February and August so that the growth and development of toddlers is more optimal, and given exclusive breast milk because it can improve the quality of emotional relationships and maximize the toddler's immunity.