Short birth length, low birth weight and maternal short stature are dominant risks of stunting among children aged 0-23 months: Evidence from Bogor longitudinal study on child growth and development, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Stunting remains a predominant global health problem and Indonesia is no exception. This analysis aims to determine the major factors of stunting among children aged 0-23 months, using data from the Bogor Longitudinal Study on Child Growth and Development (BLSCGD). Methods: The BLSCGD was conducted by the Center for Public Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Indonesia. This analysis used part of the BLSCGD data. A total of 320 children aged above 23 months were included. Anthropometric measurements were performed by trained enumerators each month from the first month of birth until 23 months of age. The analyses of survival resilience was conducted using survival statistics test using life table and Kaplan Meier, whereby the case for this survival analysis was the occurrence of stunting. Factors affecting stunting (including children and maternal characteristics) were tested using cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Determinants of stunting were birth weight with hazards regressions (HR) score=1.847; 95% CI: 1.282-2.662), birth length (HR=1.567; 1.034-2.375), and maternal height (HR=1.436; 1.014–2.030). The probability of children not being stunted decreased with increase in age. Conclusion: Birth weight and length at birth, and maternal short stature were the dominant risks factors of stunting among the study children aged 0-23 months.