Stunting trends and associated factors among Indonesian children aged 0-23 months: Evidence from Indonesian Family Life Surveys (IFLS) 2000, 2007 and 2014

Introduction: Stunting in childhood affects cognitive development and may increase the risk of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Indonesia is the fifth largest contributor of stunting in the world, with a prevalence of 32.9% in children aged 0-2 years in 2013. This study aimed to determine the stunting trend and associated factors between 2000 and 2014. Methods: This study used data from Indonesia Family Life Surveys (IFLS) that have been conducted periodically since 1993. This study focused on households with children aged 0-23 months. Trend analysis used the IFLS data collected in 2000, 2007 and 2014, while bivariate analysis for determination of the different factors associated with stunting used IFLS data in 2000 and 2014. Results: Based on data from 1,263 children in 2000, 1,805 children in 2007, and 1,609 children in 2014, stunting prevalence slightly increased from 29.7% in 2000 to 32.6% in 2014. Significant associations between stunting and children's age, birth weight, mother's education, antenatal care, health sanitation and immunisation status were recorded in 2000. In 2014, stunting was significantly associated with children's age, birth weight, prelacteal food intake, ownership of Mother and Child Health Book and health sanitation status. Conclusion: Stunting in children below 2 years in Indonesia remains high, exceeding 30%. This study identified several contributing factors to stunting. Interventions to address these factors should be undertaken toward reducing stunting among young children in Indonesia.