Maternal Factor and Children’s Nutrition Status in Senuro Village, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia

Approximately half a billion children under the age of five were living in developing countries. Out of these, about 37% are stunted, 11% are wasted and 30% are underweight. Children malnutrition is one of serious health issues in Indonesia. The National Socio-Economic Survey noted that the prevalence of children with lack of nutrition increased from 2002 (18.3%) to 2003 (19.6%) and declined to18.8% in 2004. The prevalence of children with severe nutrition in South sumatera in 2003 is above of the national average of 8.5%. According to the Basic Health Research in 2007, the prevalence of underweight and severely underweight in South Sumatera is high (11.7% and 6.5%, respectively). There is a strong association between malnutrition and child mortality, that a malnourished child tends to suffer more days of infectious disease. The simultaneous presence of malnutrition and infection greatly increased the child’s risk of death.