Determinants of Incident Stunting in Elementary School Children in Endemic Area Iodine Deficiency Disorders Enrekang Regency

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stunting is a global health emergency, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of childhood stunting in 2019 in Enrekang amounted to 44.8%. Enrekang Regency is the area with the highest stunting and is an endemic area. Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) is thought to be correlated with the incidence of stunting. AIM: This study aims to identify the determinants of stunting in elementary school children in IDDs endemic areas in the Enrekang Regency. METHODS: An observational analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The subjects of this study were mothers and their children aged 6–12 years. 100 total samples were collected based on the purposive sampling method. Collecting data using a questionnaire, FFQ, iodine test kit, microtia, and palpation. Data analysis using chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a relationship between maternal height (p = 0.020), diet (p = 0.049), PHBS practice (p = 0.012) on the incidence of stunting. While the use of iodized salt (p = 0.510) and palpation of the thyroid gland (p = 1000) were not associated with stunting. Lack of PHBS practices for children has a 6333-fold chance of experiencing stunting, while stunted mothers have a 5.583-fold chance of giving birth to stunting children. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between mother’s height, child’s diet, and PHBS practice with stunting. Analysis of determinants related to the incidence of stunting is very important so that it becomes input and empirical evidence to the regional governments in formulating policies to overcome the problem of stunting, which is the highest in South Sulawesi.