The potency of socio-economic family and cultural factor in affecting stunting of Muna ethnic in Batalaiworu, Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

Almost three of ten children in Indonesia suffered stunting. Cultural food taboos to mothers and children, and socioeconomic family might affect eating patterns in Muna ethnic. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between family’s socio-economic factors and cultural factors with the incidence of stunting. this cross-sectional study applied the qualitative and quantitative methods involved 110 randomly selected children aged 6-24 months. Stunting was categorized by comparing the Body length (cm) with the children age (months). Data of socio-economic and cultural factors were taken using structured questionnaire and in-depth interview. The occurence of stunting was 32.7%. Education level, dietary restriction during pregnancy, and prelacteal intake significantly correlated with the occurence of stunting (p <0.05), while the per-capita expenditure, food tabo and the history of exclusive breastfeeding were not significantly correlated with the occurance of stunting (p> 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed prelacteal intake as the most influential factor that affecting the incidence of stunting.The prevalence of stunting in the Batalaiworu district is higher than the national prevalence of stunting. Cultural factors like prelacteal feeding is the most influential factor that affecting the occurrence of stunting.