Prenatal Risk Factors for Stunting in Children aged 12-24 Months in Central Java, Indonesia

Background The prenatal period is the golden period of a child’s growth. Identification of prenatal risk factors can be used as a basis for prevention to decrease stunting incidence. Objective This study aimed to identify prenatal risk during pregnancy that contribute to stunting in children aged 12-24 months in Central Java, Indonesia. Method This observational study employed a case-control design. The research was conducted in four Central Java districts with the highest prevalence of stunting. Subjects were selected through stratified random sampling at the district, health center, and village levels. A total of 261 children stunting aged 12-24 months and 261 children without stunting were selected. Data collection was conducted through structured interviews using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Chi square test and logistic regression model. Results The study showed that 52.4 % among the stunting children were boys. More parents with lower educational background were found in stunting group. There were no difference in parental occupation, marital status, per capita income, abortion history between the case and control groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that prenatal risk factors associated with stunting included short maternal height (OR = 2.68; 95%CI = 1.73- 4.14; p = 0.0001), Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) during pregnancy (OR = 1.63; 95%CI = 1.07-2.48; p = 0.022), nonroutine iron supplement consumption (OR = 1.61; 95%CI = 1.12-2.32; p = 0.011) and having more than one child (OR = 1.590; CI = 1.063-2.377; p = 0.024). Conclusion It was concluded that prenatal risk factors for stunting in children aged 12-24 months in Central Java were short maternal height, nonroutine consumption of iron supplement and inadequate weight gain during pregnancy. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 24 No. 02 April’25 Page : 579-588