Determinants of Stunting among Children with Teenage Mothers: Evidence from Indonesia.

Background: Stunting brings many losses to children. This situation becomes even more severe when it occurs in children who are teenage mothers. The study analyzes determinants of stunting among children with teenage mothers in Indonesia.

Methods: The study examined 1,946 children (0-23 months old). The study analyzed nutritional status, residence, maternal factors (no education, primary education, secondary education, marriage, employment, socioeconomic, prenatal class), and child characteristics (age and gender).

Results: Children in urban areas were 1.063 times more likely to experience stunting than those in rural areas [adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 1.063; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.040-1.086]. Children with mothers at all education levels were likelier than mothers in secondary education to experience stunting. Children with divorced/widowed mothers were 0.808 times less likely to experience stunting than married mothers (AOR: 0.808; 95% CI: 0.768-0.851). Children with unemployed mothers were 1.048 times more likely than employed mothers to experience stunting (AOR: 1.048; 95% CI: 1.018-1.079). Children of all socioeconomic levels were likelier than the richest to experience stunting. Children with mothers not attending prenatal classes were 1.472 times more likely to experience stunting than those attending prenatal classes (AOR: 1.472; 95% CI: 1.434-1.512). Children 12-23 months were 3.739 times more likely than <12 months to experience stunting (3.739; 95% CI: 3.658-3.821). Boys were 1.727 times more likely than girls to experience stunting (AOR: 1.727; 95% CI: 1.691-1.764).

Conclusion: The study concluded eight variables associated with stunting among children with teenage mothers in Indonesia: residence, maternal education, maternal marital status, maternal employment, socioeconomic, prenatal classes, children's age, and children's gender.