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. 2025 Jul 15;59(9):62-71.
doi: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10849. eCollection 2025.

Factors Associated with Stunting among Infants and Young Children in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur, Philippines

Jeena Sandra R Manrique-de Hitta  1   2 , Kim Leonard G Dela Luna  1 , Anna Paulina S Rodriguez  1 , Mildred O Guirindola  3
Affiliations

Factors Associated with Stunting among Infants and Young Children in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur, Philippines

Jeena Sandra R Manrique-de Hitta et al. Acta Med Philipp. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the determinants linked to stunting among infants and young children aged 0-23 months in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 628 primary caregivers with infants and young children aged 0-23 months in four municipalities of the Fourth District of Camarines Sur, Philippines, using a twostage stratified random sampling design. Data on sociodemographic and economic factors were collected through face-to-face interviews. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were assessed using a list-based approach, while weight and length were evaluated using the World Health Organization Anthro Plus software. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were done using R statistical software version 4.3.1.

Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of stunting was of significant public health concern, reaching 42.8%. Holding other variables constant, age of the child (OR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.63-0.94), having college undergraduate mothers (OR=0.26; 95% CI: 0.05-1.28), and belonging to a poor income household (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.14-0.88) were associated with stunting among infants aged 0.01-6.00 months. Moreover, after controlling for the confounding effects of other variables, age (OR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.14) and sex of the child (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.05-2.28) were associated with stunting among older children aged 6.00-23.99 months.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes the challenge of stunting in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur. None of the IYCF indicators were associated with stunting; however, maternal education, the child's age, sex, and socioeconomic status were identified as significant factors influencing stunting. Addressing these determinants through targeted interventions focusing on improving maternal education and enhancing socio-economic conditions were crucial to reducing stunting in the study areas.

Keywords: growth disorders; infant nutrition disorders; nutritional status; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declared no known conflicts of interest and that the institution did not gain any financial or proprietary advantage from the study results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Geographical map of the 4th district of Camarines Sur. Source: Excerpt from PDA. Annual Report: Partido Development Administration created under R.A. 7820, 2013.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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