Maternal Mental Health and Risk of Children Diarrhea and ARI in Indonesia
Diah Yunitawati1, Yusi Dwi Nurcahyani1, Leny Latifah1, Prihatin Broto Sukandar1

Center for Health Research and Development of Magelang, Ministry of Health, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction. There are between 4.4 and 3.6% of the world^s population who experience depression and anxiety. Data on Basic Health Research shows that the proportion of Indonesian people suffering from emotional mental disorders fell from 11.6 to 6% in 2013. Maternal mental health can affect children^s growth and development.
Purpose. To investigate the relationship between maternal mental health and the risk of children^s diarrhea and ARI in Indonesia.
Method. Data comes from the Indonesian Basic Health Research in 2013. The analyzed variables using logistic regression are the history of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and diarrhea, child and maternal characteristics.
Findings. The prevalence of high common mental disorders (CMD) is 4.6%. ARI has a higher incidence compared to the incidence of diarrhea (40.6% and 11.9%). The analysis shows that maternal CMD is related to ARI history (OR= 2.12- 95% CI: 1.87-2.40) and diarrhea history (OR=2.36- 95% CI: 2.03-2.74).
Implication. Maternal CMD is associated with the incidence of child illness and increases the risk of ARI and diarrhea. The intervention to increase the maternal mental health status needs to get more attention because it contributes to the child^s health status.

Keywords: ARI, children, diarrhea, mental health

Topic: Medicine and Health Sciences