Influence of maternal and neonatal continuum of care on the risk of intergenerational cycle of stunting: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyse the influence of the continuum of care during pregnancy and neonatal periods on the risk of intergenerational cycle of stunting.DesignThis study was a cross-sectional study, with data analysed from the 2018 Basic Health Research in Indonesia.SettingsBasic Health Research 2018 was conducted throughout 513 cities/regencies in 34 provinces in Indonesia. The households were selected through two-stage sampling methods. First, census blocks (CB) were selected using probability proportional to size methods in each urban/rural stratum from each city/regency. Ten households were then selected from each CB using systematic sampling methods. All family members of the selected households were measured and interviewed.ParticipantsThis study analyses 31 603 children aged 0–24 months.Outcomes measuresThe dependent variable was the risk of the intergenerational cycle of stunting. Mothers who had a height less than 150.1 cm (short stature mothers) and had children (≤ 24 months of age) with length-for-age Z-score less than −2 Standard Deviation (SD) of the WHO Child Growth Standard (stunted children) were defined as at risk of the intergenerational cycle of stunting.ResultsMothers with incomplete maternal and neonatal care visits were 30% more likely to be at risk on the intergenerational cycle of stunting (OR (95% CI): 1.3 (1.00 to 1.63)) after adjusting for economic status.ConclusionThe continuum of maternal and neonatal healthcare visits could potentially break the intergenerational cycle of stunting, especially in populations where stunted mothers are prevalent.