The Influence of Mother’s Employment, Family Income, and Expenditure on Stunting Among Children Under Five: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction

It is widely acknowledged that the socioeconomic circumstances of a family income are correctly reflected in that family expenditures. The dietary habits of families are influenced by socioeconomic circumstances that may affect stunting. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the household economic predictor stunting (mother’s employment, family income, and family expenditure) in children under five.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design. Six districts and cities have been chosen as study areas based on the areas with the highest incidence of stunting in West Java, Indonesia. This study conducted specifically from October to December 2018. Data were examined using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution) and a Spearman Rank bivariate test. A logistic regression was employed to determine the elements that serve as predictors of stunting.

Results

A total of 731 women with children under five participated in the study. A bivariate analysis showed that mother’s employment had an association with stunting among children under five (p = 0.014). Meanwhile, family income and expenditure are not statistically significant associated with stunting (p > 0.05). A multivariate analysis showed that mother’s employment was a stunting predictor with odd ratio (OR) 1.810 (p = 0.017). The OR value means that mothers who do not work have a 1.810 chance for their children to experience stunting compared with mothers who have work. However, family income and expenditure have negative projected values (p = 0.580 and p = 0.398, respectively).

Conclusion

Children under five who are stunted are potentially predictive with mothers’ employment, with a chance is higher in mother who do not work. However, family income and expenditure are not predictive of stunting.

Keywords:

• family economic
• family expenditure
• mother’s employment
• stunting
• socioeconomic

Data Sharing Statement

The data contains personal information that our participants consented to being used for research purposes only and not for public disclosure. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of our participants, we are required to keep the data restricted and limit access to authorized individuals only. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the first author (LR), upon reasonable request.

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the Indonesian Population Board, and Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Universitas Padjadjaran, and also the community leaders and the community leaders and the community itself in all Regencies and Cities in West Java Province for the participation in our study.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research is conducted by financial support from Indonesian Population Board, and Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education and Universitas Padjadjaran with contract numbers 4414/HK.03.01/J.6/2018, 591/UN6.L/PKS/2018 and 1827/UN6.3.1/LT/2020. Morover, this APC was paid by Directorate for Research and Community Engagement, Universitas Padjadjaran.