Analysis of Height in Children with and Without Malaria in the Malaria Endemic Area of Kualuh Leidong District

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease that remains a public health problem, especially in tropical regions such as Indonesia. Children living in malaria-endemic areas are highly susceptible to growth disorders, including stunting. One indicator of growth disorders is height that is not appropriate for age. Repeated malaria infections are known to disrupt the linear growth process of children through various mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, anemia, and nutrient malabsorption. Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between malaria infection status and height in children in malaria-endemic areas in Kualuh Leidong District. Method: This study used an observational analytical design with a case-control approach. The number of respondents was 134 children who were divided equally into two groups: children who had been infected with malaria and those who had not. Height data were categorized based on WHO standards into three groups: normal, short, and very short. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of 5%. Results: Most children who were not infected with malaria had normal height (95.5%), while children who had been infected with malaria were dominated by the short (31.3%) and very short (50.7%) groups. Chi-square test results showed a highly significant relationship between malaria infection status and child height (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Malaria infection significantly affects child height in endemic areas. Children infected with malaria are more likely to experience stunting. This study demonstrates the importance of simultaneous nutritional interventions and malaria prevention to prevent child growth disorders.