The Impact of Maternal Factors on Stunting Incidence in Children Aged 6 – 59 Months at Sasi Community Health Center, Timor Tengah Utara Regency, East Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

Stunting, defined as height-for-age more than two standard deviations below the WHO’s child growth standards median has many long-term consequences. With a high prevalence of stunting in the Kelurahan Sasi (10% in August 2023), we aim to determine whether identified maternal risk factors align with the local context, offering insights for effecting interventions in Timor Tengah Utara Regency. This is a case-control study with a sample size of 103 children aged 6 to 59 months participating in three Posyandu in Sasi Community Health Center. Maternal risk factors impacting stunting occurrence are assessed through bivariate using chi-square test and multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression methods. Of the 103 children who attended Posyandu in Kelurahan Sasi, 28,1% of children exhibited stunting, with statistically significant risk factors namely low maternal education, low knowledge about stunting, low household wealth index, gestational age, and short maternal height. Maternal education emerged as the primary risk factor for stunting in Sasi Community Health Center (OR 6.0; 95% CI 2,3 to 4.5; P=0.0029). Maternal education emerged as the primary risk factor on stunting in Sasi Community Health Center, as indicated by both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore, low household index and short maternal height were linked to a higher likelihood of stunting, emphasizing the influence of economic factors. Maternal age and iron supplementation did not emerge as statistically significant contributors to stunting, contrary to previous findings, suggesting the need for further investigation despite the study’s limitations. This study shows that several factors like maternal knowledge, household wealth index, maternal education, maternal height, and maternal gestation have a significant impact on the incidence of stunting. However, maternal age and iron supplementation did not show any significant impact.