What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to identify risk factors contributing to stunting in toddlers from rural Indonesia.

February 25, 2026Open Access

Maternal and Toddler Characteristics, Environmental Factors, and Health Services as a Risk for Stunting in Rural Karanganyar, Indonesia

Key Points

This study aims to identify risk factors contributing to stunting in toddlers from rural Indonesia.
Case-control design comparing 85 stunted and 85 non-stunted toddlers.
Data analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression.
Variables included maternal education, family income, birth weight, birth height, health service visits, and hygiene behavior.
Six variables were significant risks for stunting: mother's education, family income, birth weight, birth height, Posyandu visits, and hygiene practices.
Toddlers with irregular Posyandu visits had 3.286 times higher odds of stunting.
Poor hand hygiene increased the risk of stunting by 2.964 times.

Abstract

Background: Stunting remains a significant public health concern in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas. Although the national stunting prevalence declined to 19.8%, disparities persist. Despite interventions, there is limited evidence on the combined effects of maternal, environmental, and health servicerelated factors that contribute to stunting in this region. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for stunting.Methods: A case-control design was used, involving 85 stunted and 85 non-stunted toddlers in Jumapolo, Karanganyar, Central Java. Data were analyzed through univariate and bivariate analyses using the Chi-square test, followed by multivariate analysis with logistic regression.Results: Six variables met criteria for inclusion in the final model: mother education (OR=2.042, 95% CI 1.059, 3.937, P=0.048), family income (OR=4.358, 95% CI 0.894, 21.256, P=0.102), birth weight (OR=5.203, 95% CI 1.659, 16.318, P=0.005), birth height (OR=3.128, 95% CI 1.441, 6.786, P=0.006), integratedservices- post (Posyandu) visit (OR=3.257, 95% CI 1.338, 7.929, P=0.013), and hand hygiene behavior by toddler (OR=3.087, 95% CI 1.391, 6.851, P=0.008). The most dominant factor was irregular Posyandu visits. Toddlers were 3.286 times more likely to be stunted (CI 95% 1.271-8.493, value 0.014). Additionally, toddlers with poor hand hygiene had 2.964 times higher odds of stunting (CI 95% 1.251-7.023, P=0.014). The findings suggest that limited access to routine health services and inadequate hygiene practices significantly contribute to stunting.Conclusion: Intervention should prioritize promoting regular attendance of health services and improving hand hygiene practices among toddlers.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper