Peer-reviewed article
Contextual Determinants of Stunting in Indonesia: A Systematic Review of Nutritional Interventions and Antenatal Care
Edward Kurnia Setiawan Limijadi, Katrin Setio Devi ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This systematic review looks at the contextual factors that affect how well nutritional interventions and antenatal care reduce stunting among children in Indonesia. The authors searched five academic databases, found 3,690 articles, and included 13 studies published between 2019 and 2023. They identify four factors: socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, geographical disparities, and government policies. They conclude that nutrition programmes and antenatal care work better when adapted to local socioeconomic, cultural and geographical conditions.
Key points
- Household income and education strongly influence access to healthcare and nutrition.
- Food taboos and misconceptions hinder good nutritional practices.
- Rural populations have higher stunting rates because of limited access to healthcare and resources.
- Strong political commitment, multisectoral collaboration and localized programs are important.
- Nutritional interventions and antenatal care are more effective when tailored to local context.
Limitations
Only the abstract is available, so it gives no effect sizes and does not say which specific interventions worked or by how much. The review draws on just 13 studies of mixed designs, so it can show which contextual factors matter but cannot show that any one intervention reduces stunting.
Abstract
Background: Stunting is a significant global health issue, especially in Indonesia, where long-term malnutrition adversely affects children's growth and development, with prevalence rates still exceeding the WHO's recommended threshold. This study examines the contextual factors that influence the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and antenatal care (ANC) in combating stunting in Indonesia. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search across five major academic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, and ProQuest) identified 3,690 articles. After a rigorous screening process, 13 studies published between 2019 and 2023 were included in the analysis, focusing on key contextual factors that impact stunting interventions in Indonesia. The quality appraisal utilized Joanna Briggs Institute checklists for analytical cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, quasi-experimental studies, qualitative research, systematic reviews, case reports, and text and opinion papers, each matched to the respective study design. Findings: The review identified four critical contextual factors shaping stunting interventions: (1) socioeconomic status, particularly household income and education, which significantly influence access to healthcare and nutrition; (2) cultural beliefs, including food taboos and misconceptions, which hinder optimal nutritional practices; (3) geographical disparities, with rural populations experiencing higher stunting rates due to limited access to healthcare and resources; and (4) government policies, highlighting the importance of strong political commitment, multisectoral collaboration, and localized programs. Conclusion: Nutritional interventions and ANC are more effective in reducing stunting among Indonesian children when tailored to local socioeconomic, cultural, and geographical contexts. These findings highlight the need for targeted, context-specific strategies to improve child growth outcomes in vulnerable populations.