RISK FACTOR ANALYSIS OF STUNTING IN THE KEMBARAN 1 PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER’S WORKING AREA

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the dominant risk factors contributing to stunting in the working area of the Kembaran 1 Public Health Center, Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. A cross-sectional approach was employed from May to June 2025, involving 130 mothers of stunted children selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms, which assessed demographics and stunting-related risk factors. Data analysis included univariate and bivariate methods using SPSS version 22 and Pearson chi-square tests to evaluate associations. The results showed that most respondents were housewives with low household income, and a majority of children were male and over two years old. Despite a high prevalence of good maternal knowledge about stunting (65.4%), statistical analysis revealed no significant associations between maternal knowledge and variables such as education level, income, age during pregnancy, nutritional status, breastfeeding duration, or child immunization status (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that maternal knowledge alone may not directly influence key determinants of stunting, highlighting the role of structural and environmental factors in shaping outcomes. This study contributes to the growing evidence that comprehensive, multisectoral strategies beyond individual knowledge are needed to effectively address stunting.