THE CORRELATION BETWEEN FAMILY INCOME AND EDUCATION LEVEL WITH STUNTING INCIDENCE

Abstract

Background: According to the 2005 WHO reference, stunting (short stature) is a type of 
malnutrition defined based on height-for-age, as measured by standard deviations. The 
height-for-age (HAZ) indicator identifies long-term nutritional issues caused by factors such 
as poverty, poor lifestyle, inadequate care, insufficient nutrition at birth, and low child 
height. These determinants include basic criteria like the mother's education level and 
economic capacity, as well as intermediary factors like family size, the mother's height and 
age, and the number of children, all contributing to growth delays. Objective: To investigate 
the correlation between stunting incidence and family income and education level in children 
aged 24 to 60 months. Method: This research was conducted observationally using a case
control study design. Data collection took place in December 2023. The sample size included 
323 stunted children aged 0 to 60 months, with 64 respondents, including children with and 
without developmental disabilities, aged 24 to 60 months, in Paduraksa Health Center, 
Pemalang Regency. A purposive sampling technique was used. Univariate analysis was 
conducted with frequency distribution regarding family income and education level, and 
bivariate analysis using chi-square test. Results: Family income for most stunted toddlers 
was below the regional minimum wage (UMR) for 26 respondents (81.3%), while family 
income for most non-stunted toddlers was above or equal to the UMR for 22 respondents 
(66.8%). Regarding education level, it was found that most mothers of stunted toddlers (22 
respondents, 68.74%) had a basic education level, while most mothers of non-stunted 
toddlers (20 respondents, 62.50%) had a higher education level. There was a significant 
relationship between family income and stunting incidence, with a p-value of 0.028. However, 
there was no significant relationship between education level and stunting incidence (p-value 
=0.660).