When knowledge falls short: determinants of low stunting knowledge among mothers of stunted infants in Indonesia – a secondary data analysis of the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey

Background Stunting remains a major public health challenge in Indonesia, with regional disparities slowing progress towards national targets. Maternal knowledge is a key determinant, yet little is known about its predictors among mothers of stunted children. This study aimed to identify factors associated with low maternal knowledge in this high-risk group. Methods We analysed data from 4382 mothers of stunted infants aged 0–11 months obtained from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey, a nationally representative dataset. Maternal knowledge was categorised as high or low based on structured survey questions. Potential determinants included sociodemographic factors, education, residence, region, health service use and awareness of pregnancy danger signs. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to estimate adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CIs. Results Overall, 54.8% (95% CI 51.5% to 58.0%) of mothers of stunted children in Indonesia had low knowledge of stunting. The likelihood of low knowledge was higher in Papua (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.31, p= 0.001 ), Sumatera (aOR 1.55, p= 0.022 ) and Maluku (aOR 1.97, p=0.052) compared with Jawa–Bali. Urban mothers were more likely to have low knowledge than rural mothers (aOR 1.71, p= 0.001 ). Mothers with incomplete elementary school had the highest odds (aOR 4.73, p<0.001). Not attending postnatal care (aOR 2.41, p= 0.002 ), missing child growth monitoring (aOR 2.34, p<0.001), having maternal health checkups only once a year or less (aOR 1.56, p= 0.038 ) and limited awareness of pregnancy danger signs (aOR 1.81, p<0.001) were also associated with low level of knowledge. Conclusions We found that regional inequities, education, service use and health literacy shape low maternal knowledge of stunting. Targeted interventions for mothers of stunted children are critical to closing knowledge gaps and accelerating Indonesia’s stunting reduction efforts.