The Correlation Between Knowledge and Smoking Habits and the Occurrence of ARI in Toddlers in the Coastal Area of the Luas Health Center, Kaur Regency

Abstract

Intoduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is an upper or lower respiratory tract infection, usually contagious, that can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic or mild infections to severe and fatal illnesses (WHO, 2023). In 2023, the number of ARI cases at Luas Health Center in Kaur Regency was 120 (Puskesmas Luas, 2024). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between smoking knowledge and habits and the occurrence of ARI in toddlers at Luas Health Center in Kaur Regency. Method: The method used in this study was a survey with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 73 mothers with toddlers. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test with a 95% significance level using SPSS 22 software. Result and Discussion: The results of the univariate analysis showed that 38 people (52.1%) experienced mild ARI. A total of 34 people (46.6%) had poor knowledge, and 47 people (64.4%) had a family member who smoked. Bivariate analysis results showed a significant correlation between knowledge (p-value = 0.022) and attitude (p-value = 0.017) and the occurrence of ARI in toddlers (<α – 0.05) in the working area of ​ Luas Health Center in Kaur Regency. Conclusion: It is expected that the community health center will provide input for community health center programs to reduce the occurrence of ARI, especially in terms of improving the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of toddlers regarding ARI prevention.