The Effect of Complementary Feeding (MP-ASI) on Malnutrition Among Children Aged 6–24 Months

Abstract

The incidence of undernutrition in children aged 6-24 months in the Service Area of Katobengke Community Health Center, Baubau City, has increased. This is concurrent with reliance solely on breastfeeding without complementary feeding (MP-ASI), necessitating research to determine the effect of MP-ASI provision on undernutrition status in children aged 6-24 months in that area. This study employed a quantitative method with a Pre-Experimental design, using a one-group pretest-posttest Design approach. The study involved all children identified as having an undernutrition status, totaling 27 children aged 6-24 months, using a Total Sampling Approach. Data analysis used the t-test to examine differences before and after the intervention and measured the effect using the N-Gain Score. The results of this study indicate that MP-ASI provision has an effect on the undernutrition status of children aged 6-24 months, with an N-Gain score of 0.1, categorized as low. There is an effect of MP-ASI provision on undernutrition status in children aged 6-24 months in the Working Area of Katobengke Community Health Center. It is recommended that parents, especially mothers with children aged 6-24 months, provide appropriate and correct MP-ASI according to the required nutritional content.