Factors Associated With Stunting in Children Aged 24–59 Months in Gariuai Village, Timor-Leste, 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22487/5dds3n75Keywords:
Stunting, exclusive breastfeeding, family income, sanitationAbstract
Stunting remains a major public health problem in developing countries. It is a condition of chronic malnutrition characterized by a child’s height being below the standard for his or her age and may lead to impaired physical growth, cognitive development, and increased risks of health problems later in life. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with stunting prevalence among children aged 24–59 months in Gariuai Village, Baucau Municipality, Timor-Leste. A quantitative study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among a population of 557 children. A sample of 253 children was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, the Chi-Square test for bivariate analysis, and multiple logistic regression for multivariate analysis. The results revealed that 11.1% of the children were stunted. Exclusive breastfeeding, family income, access to clean water, and toilet facilities were significantly associated with stunting prevalence, whereas maternal education and birth weight history were not significantly associated with stunting. Exclusive breastfeeding was identified as the most dominant factor associated with stunting. These findings indicate that local health interventions should prioritize strengthening exclusive breastfeeding support and counseling, particularly for vulnerable families, while continuing to improve household income, access to clean water, and sanitation facilities.
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