Socio-economic Status of Families as Predictors of Stunting Phenomenon among Elementary School Students at Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The prevalence of stunting in children is related to poverty, low education levels, and inadequate health and health services. However, in a society with sufficient income, it is not guaranteed to be free from stunting. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between family socioeconomic aspects and stunting in favorite elementary school children. This research was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The research subjects were 458 children from favorite primary schools in Semarang Indonesia, who were selected using simple random sampling. The dependent variable was stunting status. Independent variables were gender and age of school children, level of education, occupation, and income of their parents. Hypothesis test used Chi-square and multivariate analysis with Logistic Regression. The study found that the percentage of stunted children in favorite elementary school students was relatively low. Bivariate analysis showed there were several variables related to stunting in students, namely the child's age, maternal education and father's income. Multivariate analysis showed maternal education levels related to stunting status in children, mothers with low education risk increasing the stunting of children in favorite schools (OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.50–14.45). Parent factors are related to stunting in children.