Associated Factors of Recurrent Wasting among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute malnutrition (wasting) is a major public health problem that contributes significantly tomorbidity and mortality among children under five years of age. Although nutrition intervention programmes have proveneffective, a key challenge in wasting management is the high rate of recurrence after interventions, which continues tosustain the burden of malnutrition. This study aimed to identify factors associated with recurrent wasting among childrenaged 6-59 months in Maros Regency.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 at Mandai and Turikale Primary Health Centres, involving 250children with a previous history of wasting selected through purposive sampling. Maternal characteristics were assessedusing a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. Dueto the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be established.Results: The prevalence of wasting recurrence was 26.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed thatadequate maternal nutritional status was independently associated with a lower likelihood of wasting recurrence (OR =0.14; 95% CI: 0.06-0.28; p < 0.001). Similarly, favourable maternal psychosocial conditions, particularly lower levels ofanxiety, were significantly associated with reduced odds of recurrence (OR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.00-0.59; p = 0.016).Appropriate maternal caregiving practices were also associated with decreased likelihood of recurrent wasting (OR =0.30; 95% CI: 0.09-0.92; p = 0.03). Household income showed a marginal association with wasting recurrence but didnot reach statistical significance in the adjusted model.Conclusion: Maternal nutritional status, psychosocial well-being, and caregiving practices were significantly associatedwith the recurrence of wasting among children aged 6-59 months. These findings suggest that maternal-related factorsare important correlates of wasting recurrence. However, given the cross-sectional design, the results should beinterpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to betterunderstand potential causal pathways.

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