Risk Factors for Stunting among Children under Five Years in the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia

Abstract

In East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, 42.6% of children under five had stunted growth in 2018, which affects both individual and communal levels. The first step in creating effective interventions is identifying the risk factors for stunting. This study aims to pinpoint the stunting risk factors in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, by incorporating secondary data from the 2018 Indonesia Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS). This study implemented a cross-sectional design by utilizing the data of individuals who were successfully visited during the survey. Initial data screening in East Nusa Tenggara Province based on the criteria for children aged 0–59 months and stunting showed as many as 1643. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between children’s characteristics and stunting. There was a significant relationship between age group variables for younger children (aged 12–23, 24–35, and 36–47 months), mothers with low education, and children living in rural areas with the incidence of stunting in children (p-value < 0.05). The dominant factors that caused stunting in this study were the children’s age of 24–35 months (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.12–3.86), mothers with low education (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.18–2.08), and children living in rural areas (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01–1.91). The highest prevalence of stunting was in the group of children aged 12–23 months (45.2%). To prevent child stunting, the government must intervene for mothers with low education and those living in rural areas. Intervention includes intensive socialization about improving nutritional status during pregnancy and practicing complementary feeding and breastfeeding habits until the child is 24 months old.