Maternal Nutritional Status and Low Birth Weight as Risk Factors for Stunting in Children Aged 6-23 Months

Stunting is acknowledged as a health problem in Jember. Since it can be effectively prevented during the first 1,000 days of life, identifying maternal risk factors is essential. This study aimed to analyze maternal risk factors for stunting among children aged 6-23 months in the working area of the Mangli Primary Healthcare Center, Jember. This case-control study was conducted on 50 dyads of mother-stunted children (cases) and 50 mother-non-stunted children (controls). They were randomly selected from stunted and non-stunted study populations in the area. Data were collected through structured interviews and observations of maternal and child handbooks, and were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR) calculations. Most mothers (77%) were aged 20-35 years during pregnancy, had a pregnancy interval >2 years (52%), gained the recommended weight (69%), had mid-upper arm circumference >23.5 cm (79%), were anemic (29%), and delivered low birth weight babies (14%). Inadequate gestational weight gain (OR = 2.90; 95%CI:1.19-7.07; p = 0.017), mid-upper arm circumference <23.5 cm (OR = 3.14; 95% CI:1.11-8.94; p = 0.027), and low birth weight (OR = 7.58; 95%CI:1.60-35.93; p = 0.004) were risk factors for stunting. It is concluded that maternal nutritional status and low birth weight were risk factors for stunting in children 6-23 months at Mangli Primary Healthcare Center working area, Jember.