Enhancing Child Development: Assessing the Impact of Monitoring Programs on Growth in Kendari City's Children Aged 6-59 Months

Abstract

Growth serves as a crucial indicator of good nutritional status, attainable through adequate nutrition from an early age. Insufficient nutrition from the prenatal stage through birth can lead to various health issues that impede the growth and development of children. This study aims to analyze the effects of a monitoring program on toddler growth in Kendari City. Conducted between January and March 2023, this analytical observational study employed a cross-sectional design involving 120 respondents from the Benu-benua Health Center and Nambo Health Center in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The research data underwent processing and analysis using Chi-square tests and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that knowledge, perceptions, family support, and the involvement of community health workers significantly impacted infant growth within the working areas of Puskesmas Benu-Benua and Puskesmas Nambo. Keywords: Influence, Monitoring, growth, Toddlers