Determinants of stunting among children in urban families in palu, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Objective: The high incidence of stunting is a serious problem for the government of Palu. Thus, a study of the determinants of stunting in Palu is necessary. This study aimed to assess potential modifiable risk factors that lead to stunting among children. Materials and Methods: This study used a case-control research design with a 1:3 ratio of cases (children who were stunted) to controls (children who were not stunted) and conducted from September, 2016-March, 2017. The population included all stunted children aged 7-24 months in Petobo village, Palu. The number of cases was 36 as obtained by the total sampling method and the number of control children was 108, who were selected randomly. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate with logistic regression analyses were used. Results: The determinants of stunting were family income (p = 0.000), exclusive breast feeding (p = 0.002), immunization status (p = 0.147), environmental sanitation (p = 0.001) and maternal age during pregnancy (p = 0.003). The multivariate analysis results showed that family income [odds ratio(OR) = 6.24] was the highest risk factor for stunting. Exclusive breast feeding (OR = 4.33), environmental sanitation (OR = 4.60) and maternal age during pregnancy (OR = 3.05) were associated with the same risk of stunting. Conclusion: In Petobo village, Palu, the main modifiable risk factor that leads to stunting among children is family income, followed by environmental sanitation, exclusive breast feeding and maternal age during pregnancy.