SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH STUNTING IN BATU CITY, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Stunting is a health problem with long-term effects on the lives of children.  Stunting is still a major issue in Indonesia.  To catch up with the next stage of child development, stunted newborns up to 2 years old must be intervened.  It is critical to understand what variables contribute to stunting so that appropriate interventions can be implemented to reduce the prevalence of stunting.  This study aimed to identify factors that may affect stunted toddlers in Batu City, East Java, Indonesia.  The study used a stunting report covering the period from January to June 2023 from the Batu City Public Health Office and the review was performed to analyze the relevant determinants of stunted children under five years in Batu City.  The most dominant factor that caused stunting in this research was the level of maternal education.  Confounding factors included breastfeeding practices and unhealthy environments.  Community participation in initiatives to promote wellness and other health-related efforts to improve the quality of life is suggested.