THE RELATIONSHIP OF MOTHER'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ACUTE RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AND THE INCIDENCE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN TODDLERS IN THE WORK AREA OF SIDAMULYA HEALTH CENTER, CIREBON REGENCY, 2025

Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARTI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and
mortality from infectious diseases worldwide toddlers. The high incidence of ARTI in
toddlers is closely associated with mothers’ knowledge, which influences preventive health
behaviors. Based on data from the Sidamulya Public Health Center, Cirebon Regency, the
incidence of ARTI among toddlers remains relatively high. This study aimed to determine
the relationship between mothers’ knowledge of ARTI and the incidence of ARTI among
toddlers in the working area of Sidamulya Public Health Center, Cirebon Regency, in 2025.
This research employed a quantitative method with a descriptive correlational design using
a cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted in the working area of Sidamulya
Public Health Center, Cirebon Regency. The population consisted of all mothers with
toddlers, totaling 2,187 individuals. A random sampling technique was used to obtain a
sample of 86 respondents.
The study revealed that 24 mothers (27.9%) had good knowledge of ARTI, 44 mothers
(51.2%) had moderate knowledge, and 18 mothers (20.9%) had poor knowledge.
Furthermore, it was found that 61 children under five (70.9%) experienced ARTI, while 25
children (29.1%) did not. The results also demonstrated a significant association between
maternal knowledge of ARTI and the incidence of ARTI among children under five in the
working area of Sidamulya Health Center, Cirebon Regency, in 2025, with a p-value of
0.016 ≤ α (0.05), indicating that H0 was rejected and Ha was accepted.
It is recommended that the Sidamulya Public Health Center integrate continuous education
on ARTI prevention in toddlers into maternal and child health services.
Keywords: Knowledge of Mother's, ARTI, Toddler