An Overview of Total Fertility Rate and Unintended Pregnancy on the Nutritional Status of Underweight Toddlers in Rote Ndao Regency in 2025
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Abstract
High fertility rates reflected by the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and high rates of Unwanted Pregnancy (UP) are structural risk factors contributing to nutritional problems in children under five, particularly underweight (WAZ). Based on the 2025 Family Data Update, the TFR in Rote Ndao District reached 3.06 far exceeding the national average of 2.12, while the percentage of unwanted pregnancies reached 34.9%, the highest compared to the national average (14%) and NTT Province (10.4%). This coincides with a prevalence of underweight (WAZ) of 22.7% out of 11,067 children weighed, based on data from the Rote Ndao District Health Office in 2025. This study aims to analyze the relationship between TFR and UP and the nutritional status of children under five (WAZ) in Rote Ndao District in 2025, using a descriptive-analytic approach based on secondary data. Data were sourced from the 2025 Family Data Update (BKKBN) and the Rote Ndao District Health Office 2025. Results show a consistent pattern: areas with high TFR and high UP rates tend to have higher prevalence of underweight. Short birth intervals caused by high TFR lead to competition for nutritional resources among children in the family, while unwanted pregnancies imply inadequate pregnancy preparation, lower quality of prenatal care, and increased risk of infant malnutrition. The significant disparity between Rote Ndao District and the national average indicates the need for integrated interventions combining family planning programs, improved access to contraception, nutrition education for pregnant women, and strengthened child growth monitoring systems.
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