Document Type : original article

Authors

1 Departement of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

2 Department of Community, Family & Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia

3 Departement of Community Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Indonesia

4 Nursing Council, Indonesian Health Council, Jakarta, Indonesia

10.22038/jpp.2025.89981.5575

Abstract

Introduction: Stunting remains a significant global nutritional issue, with Indonesia’s prevalence at 21.5% in 2023, and Jember Regency in East Java recording a high prevalence of 29.7%. Inadequate care, including insufficient stimulation and child activities, is identified as a contributing factor to stunting. This study aims to analyze the relationship between family-provided growth and development stimulation and the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 24-59 months in Jember Regency. Materials and methods: This study used a quantitative analytical method with a case-control design. A total of 174 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling, comprising of 87 stunted children in case group and 87 children with normal nutritional status in control group, all from the working areas of Rambipuji, Sumberjambe, and Ledokombo Community Health Centers in Jember Regency. Data were collected using questionnaires on family and toddler characteristics, and family-provided stimulation, along with anthropometric measurements (height and weight) analyzed using WHO Anthro software. The relationship between variables was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: There is a significant relationship between family-provided growth and development stimulation and the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 24-59 months in Jember Regency (χ2 = 7.452; p-value = 0.006). Toddlers receiving adequate stimulation were 2.43 times more likely to have a normal height-for-age nutritional status compared to those receiving inadequate stimulation (OR = 2.431; 95% CI = 1.322-4.471). Conclusion: Adequate family-provided stimulation plays a significant role in preventing stunting among children aged 24-59 months. Strengthening parental awareness and skills in delivering age-appropriate stimulation should be integrated into community health programs, as part of efforts to reduce stunting.

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