DETERMINANTS OF STUNTING AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0-59 MONTHS IN TUAH NEGERI SUB-DISTRICT, MUSI RAWAS REGENCY

Background: Stunting is a condition of stunted children growth due to chronic malnutrition. Compared to urban areas, stunting rates are higher in rural areas. Therefore, further research needs to be done to find out the factors that cause the high stunting rate in rural areas. This study aims to analyze the determinants of the incidence of stunting in children aged 6-59 months in Tuah Negeri Sub, Musi Rawas Regency.Methods: This study was an observational study with a cross-sectional approach. Subjects totaled 109 children aged 0-59 months who were selected by random sampling in 3 villages of Tuah Negeri Sub-district. The data studied included children characteristics (gender, exclusive breastfeeding, history of infectious diseases) and parent characteristics (age, education, occupation, family income). Children's nutritional status was measured as well as data collection on children and mother characteristics. Nutritional status was obtained by measuring height/age which was then processed using WHO anthro and grouped into stunting and normal. Furthermore, the data were processed univariately, bivariately and multivariately.Results: The results of measuring nutritional status showed that 33% of children were stunted. There was no significant relationship (p≥0.05) between gender (p=0.339), history of infectious disease (p=0.141), mother's occupation (p=0.697) and family income (p=0.202) with children's nutritional status. There was a significant association (p<0.05) between breastfeeding (p=0.041), maternal age (p=0.008), maternal education (p=0.010) and paternal occupation (0.022) with children's nutritional status. The factor most associated with stunting was maternal age (p=0.011, OR=3.935). Mothers who are <20 years old have a 3.935 times risk of having stunted children.Conclusions: Maternal age <20 years is the most dominant factor associated with the incidence of stunting in Tuah Negeri Sub-district, Musi Rawas Regency. It is necessary to conduct health education for mothers aged <20 years ...