Stunting Among Low-Income Families in Indonesia: Is Mother's Employment a Risk Factor?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Poverty is a known factor contributing to child stunting.
• Parental habits and maternal employment are suspected influences on child stunting.
• This study investigates maternal employment status in relation to child stunting in Indonesian low-income families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of maternal employment status in child stunting among low-income families in Indonesia.
• To identify risk factors associated with child stunting in the study population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 47,021 children in low-income Indonesian households.
• Maternal work status and child nutritional health were key variables.
• Binary logistic regression analysis was used, controlling for factors like mother's age, education, and antenatal care.

Main Results:

• 19.0% of children under two in low-income households were stunted; 23.5% of mothers were employed.
• Unemployed mothers were 1.022 times more likely to have stunted children compared to employed mothers.
• Maternal employment status is significantly associated with child stunting in this population.

Conclusions:

• Maternal employment status is a significant factor in child stunting among low-income families.
• Unemployed mothers represent a risk factor for child stunting.
• Interventions empowering unemployed mothers, such as job opportunities and support programs, are crucial for reducing child stunting.