Risk Factors for Stunting among Infants on Java Island: A Cross-Sectional Study using the 2021 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey Data

Background: Stunting is a malnutrition problem that requires attention, with a prevalence of 24.4 in 2021. As the most populous island in Indonesia, Java Island has a significant impact on the incidence of stunting. Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of stunting in infants and to identify factors associated with the incidence of stunting in each province of Java. Methods: This study used secondary data from the Indonesian Nutrition Status Study (INSS) conducted in 2021 with a cross-sectional design. A logistic regression test with weighting was conducted to determine the relationship between each variable and the incidence of stunting. Results: The prevalence of stunting in infants was measured in several regions of Indonesia, including DKI Jakarta (11.9), West Java (16.3), Central Java (13.2), DI Yogyakarta (12.1), East Java (15.9), and Banten (14.6). Risk factors for stunting were identified in DKI Jakarta, namely economic status in quintile 1 (p = 0.001), and in West Java, namely snack consumption (p = 0.002) and economic status in quintile 1 (p < 0.001). In Central Java, the risk factor was economic in quintile 1 (p = 0.048), while in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, it was age 12-23 months (p = 0.022). In East Java, infants aged 9-11 months (p = 0.013) and 12-23 months (p < 0.001) with low (p = 0.010) and middle (p = 0.017) mother’s education level and economic status in quintile 1 (p = 0.005) were found to be at risk. In Banten were male infants (p = 0.011) in rural areas (p = 0.039) and with economic status in quintile 1 (p = 0.019) were found to be at risk. Conclusions: Economic status is a risk factor for stunting on Java Island. Interventions can be targeted towards improving economic status. © 2023 Faculty of Public Health Universitas Airlangga.