Family Socioeconomic Factor of Child Stunting in Bangko Village, West Halmahera

Abstract

Stunting is caused by chronic inadequate intake of nutrition that affects the growth of children. It is identified by the standard of height for age using WHO growth chart. A child identifies as stunting if the z-score is below -3 SD. North Maluku is one of province in Indonesia which has prevalence of stunting higher than the national prevalence. This study aimed to determine family socioeconomic factors that caused stunting in Bangko Village, West Halmahera, North Maluku. As much as 30 children between 0-12 years old were selected as the subject of research. The subjects were measured for weight, height, and age. Socioeconomic data was obtained by interviewing the parents of the child. Research data was analyzed using chi-square and fisher’s exact test. The result showed more than three quarter of children were either severe or moderate stunted and 30% children with severe stunting were underweight. Parents level of education, mother’s occupation, the number of family in one household were not significantly related to stunting status of children. Whereas, father’s occupation was significant related to stunting. Furthermore, children with stunting status mostly had father who work as a farmer, while children with normal high for age status mostly had father who work as a fisherman.

Keywords : under nutrition, father occupation, height for age, stunting