Background WHO documents characterize stunting as, "…impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation." The equation of stunting with malnutrition is common. This contrasts with historic and modern observations indicating that growth in height is largely independent of the extent and nature of the diet. Subjects We measured 1716 Indonesian children, aged 6.0-13.2 years, from urban Kupang/West-Timor and rural Soe/West-Timor, urban Ubud/Bali, and rural Marbau/North Sumatra. We clinically assessed signs of malnutrition and skin infections. Results There was no relevant correlation between nutritional status (indicated by skinfold thickness) and height SDS (hSDS). 53% of boys, and 46% girls in rural Soe were short and thin, with no meaningful association between mean of triceps and subscapular skinfolds (x ̅ SF) and height. Skinfold thickness was close to German values. Shortest and tallest children did not differ relevantly in skinfold thickness. The same applied for the association between hSDS and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) using linear mixed effects models with both fixed and random effects. 35.6% boys and 29.2% girls in urban Ubud were overweight; 21.4% boys and 12.4% girls obese, but with hSDS =-0.3, still short. Relevant associations between hSDS and x ̅ SF and MUAC were only found among the overweight urban children confirming that growth is accelerated in overweight and obese children. There were no visible clinical signs of malnutrition in the stunted children. Conclusion The present data seriously question the concept of stunting as prima facie evidence of malnutrition and chronic infection.

This study aimed to explore perceived determinants of condom use behaviors among male clients of female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) in Belu and Malaka districts, Indonesia. One-on-one in-depth interviews guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to collect the data from participants (n = 42). The Framework analysis for qualitative data was employed to analyze the data. Results demonstrated several factors associated with lack of and inconsistent condom use among the participants. They included self-perceived risk of contracting HIV infection, knowledge of the severity of HIV illness and its impacts, and condom use: its benefits and its influencing factors. Additionally, factors including reduced sexual pleasure and the lack of knowledge of how and where to access condoms were important perceived barriers to condom use among participants. Having seen images of HIV-/AIDS-positive people, knowing friends and relatives suffering from HIV, and knowing FCSWs as a high-risk group for HIV infection were the cues to using condoms among several participants. Likewise, self-efficacy was also associated with condom use behaviors among the participants. The findings indicate the needs for HIV/AIDS interventions that include dissemination of HIV/AIDS knowledge, condom promotion, and improvement in the availability of condoms for both FCSWs and their clients.

Background: Birth weight is the baby's first weight obtained in less than 1 hour after birth. Maternal factors such as maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy can affect the birth weight of the baby, for example, deficiency of macro substances with one of the measurements in the form of the upper arm circumference (LILA) of pregnant women and micro iron, especially iron. This study aims to analyze the relationship between LILA and consumption of iron tablets during pregnancy and birth weight of babies in the working area of Uabau Public Health Services, Malacca Regency, in 2019.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional approach to the medical records of 127 mothers who gave birth in the Uabau Public Health Services, Malacca Regency, in 2019, using the total sampling technique. The variables assessed in this study were LILA, consumption of iron tablets, and birth weight of the baby. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 for Windows.Results: The results showed that the mean birth weight of infants was 2,967.72±377.83 grams, followed by LILA of 23.65±2.45 cm, and consuming about 90 (10–160) tablets. The Spearman's correlation test shows that there is no significant correlation between maternal LILA (r = 0.103; p = 0.247) and the amount of iron tablet consumption (r = 0.065; p = 0.471) pregnant women to the weight of newborns in the working area of the Uabau Public Health Services, Malacca Regency in 2019.Conclusion: Maternal LILA and the amount of iron tablet consumption during pregnancy do not show a significant relationship with the birth weight of babies in the work area of Uabau Public Health Services, Malacca Regency, in 2019. Latar Belakang: Berat badan lahir adalah berat pertama bayi yang diperoleh dalam waktu kurang dari 1 jam pertama setelah lahir. Faktor maternal seperti gizi ibu sebelum dan saat hamil dapat mempengaruhi berat lahir bayi, misalnya defisiensi zat makro dengan salah satu pengukuran berupa Lingkar Lengan Atas (LILA) ibu hamil maupun zat mikro terutama zat besi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara LILA dan konsumsi tablet besi selama kehamilan dengan berat badan lahir bayi di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Uabau, Kabupaten Malaka Tahun 2019.Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan potong lintang terhadap rekam medis 127 ibu yang melahirkan di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Uabau, Kabupaten Malaka, pada tahun 2019 menggunakan teknik Total Sampling. Variabel yang dinilai pada penenlitian ini berupa LILA, konsumsi tablet besi, dan berat badan lahir bayi lahir. Data dianalisis dengan SPSS versi 17 untuk Windows.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rata-rata berat badan bayi lahir adalah 2.967,72±377,83 gram, diikuti dengan LILA sebesar 23,65±2,45 cm, dan mengonsumsi sekitar 90 (10–160) tablet. Uji korelasi spearman’s menunjukkan bahwa  tidak terdapat korelasi yang bermakna antara LILA ibu (r=0,103; p=0,247) maupun jumlah konsumsi tablet besi (r=0,065; p=0,471) ibu hamil terhadap berat badan bayi baru lahir di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Uabau, Kabupaten Malaka Tahun 2019.Kesimpulan: LILA ibu dan jumlah konsumsi tablet besi selama kehamilan tidak menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang bermakna terhadap berat badan lahir bayi di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Uabau Kabupaten Malaka Tahun 2019.

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