Factors influencing stunted growth in children: A study in Bandung regency focusing on a deworming program

The prevalence of neglected tropical diseases, specifically those caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and other parasites that infest the intestine as part of their life cycle, remains a problem in Indonesia. We assessed the effects of deworming programs and socioeconomic and ecological factors on the incidence rate of infections with STHs and other parasites in an urban area of the Bandung Regency. We recruited 361 children with stunted growth who met the inclusion criteria, and 48 of those children were at high risk of STH infection. The study was conducted between September 2020 and September 2021. We collected possible socioeconomic factors influencing the incidence rate of infections. We found the incidence rate of STH infections among the children with stunted growth to be 3.6%. We confirmed infections with Cyclospora and Cryptosporidium after a Ziehl-Nieelsen stool smear examination in two of the 48 children at risk of infection. We found 43.75% of the children had short stature and weight below the normal limits, while stunting and severe stunting were associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infection (44.70%, p = 0.035). Parents of children with stunted and severely stunted growth were more likely to have a low education level, lack knowledge about deworming program, and to be earning a low income. The mother's occupation had a particularly strong influence on the severity of the stunting (89.58%, p = 0.012). Our results show that deworming programs can affect the growth and development of children and that socioeconomic and ecological factors also play a role.