Prevalence of and risk factors associated with growth and developmental delays among children in urban and suburban primary care settings in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of growth and developmental delays and identify associated risk factors among children living in urban and suburban areas. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study included 247 children aged 3-24 months from 2 health center catchment areas, 1 urban and 1 suburban. Anthropometric measurements and growth-monitoring records from January-December 2024 were collected. Development was screened using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II during field visits from January-March 2025. Interviews assessed demographics, parental education and occupation, breastfeeding, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal histories, and digital media exposure. Bivariate analyses (chi-square or Fisher's exact test) and multivariable logistic regression were performed using IBM SPSS ver. 29.0. RESULTS: Short stature prevalence was 18.6% in the urban area and 26.6% in the suburban area. Suspected developmental delays were identified in 11.4% and 24.3% of children, respectively. Development status was associated with maternal education (p=.006), screen time exposure (p=.047), vaginal delivery (p=.039), and postnatal history (p=.034). multivariable analysis showed that higher maternal education (adjusted odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.56) and delivery method (0.46; 0.23-0.89) were associated with lower odds of suspected developmental delays. Longer screen time (1.92; 1.09-3.37) and postnatal complications (2.37; 1.09-5.15) were associated with higher odds. Conclusion: Frequent growth monitoring was associated with better nutritional status and weight gain in both areas and increased body length in the suburban area. Lower odds of developmental delays were associated with maternal education and delivery method, whereas higher odds were associated with screen time duration and postnatal complications.