The Relationship Between Mothers' Knowledge Of Acute Respiratory Infections (Ari) And Prevention Efforts For Acute Respiratory Infections (Ari) In Toddlers At The Small Bridge Community Health Center In Bengkulu City In 2025

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARI) is a respiratory infection that frequently affects toddlers and remains a significant health problem. Toddlers are considered a vulnerable group due to their immature immune systems and their susceptibility to environmental risk factors. Prevention efforts are strongly influenced by the role of mothers as primary caregivers, particularly through knowledge of the causes, symptoms, and prevention methods of ARI. This study aims to determine the relationship between maternal knowledge about ARI and ARI prevention efforts in toddlers at the Jembatan Kecil Health Center in Bengkulu City in 2025. This study used a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample size was 64 mothers with toddlers aged 0–59 months. Sampling was conducted using accidental sampling, with the sample size determined using the Slovin formula from a population of 230 toddlers. The results showed that the majority of mothers had sufficient knowledge about ARI (56.3%), and the majority of ARI prevention efforts in toddlers were categorized as good (92.2%). The results of the bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test yielded a p-value of 0.001 (p ≤ 0.05), indicating a significant relationship between maternal knowledge about ARI and ARI prevention efforts in toddlers. It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between maternal knowledge about ARI and ARI prevention efforts in toddlers. The results of this study are expected to encourage Health Centers to provide increased health education to mothers of toddlers to strengthen ARI prevention at the family level. The better the mother's knowledge, the better the preventive measures taken.