Childhood stunting disparities in Temanggung District, Indonesia
Evidence from routine electronic surveillance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/al-sihah.v18i1.68822Keywords:
child, electronics, growth disorders, health surveys, stuntingAbstract
Childhood stunting remains a critical global challenge, including in Indonesia where regional variation is substantial, yet studies utilizing national survey data to identify geographical disparities and vulnerable highland areas in high-burden districts such as Temanggung remain limited. This study aimed to map the distribution of childhood stunting across sub-districts in Temanggung District, Indonesia, using routine electronic nutrition surveillance data from E-PPGBM and to compare district-level estimates with the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 2023 E-PPGBM data covering 43,509 children under five, representing 96.8% population coverage. Stunting prevalence was calculated across 20 sub-districts, geographically mapped, and examined according to altitude characteristics. The E-PPGBM data showed a district-wide stunting prevalence of 13.5%, which met the national target of below 14%. However, this estimate differed substantially from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey estimate of 25.1%, indicating a notable discrepancy between routine surveillance and sample-based survey data. Sub-district prevalence varied widely, ranging from 7.0% in Jumo to 20.9% in Bansari. The highest stunting burden was concentrated in rural highland sub-districts, suggesting that altitude-related and geographically patterned vulnerabilities may contribute to local disparities. These findings indicate that near-census routine surveillance can complement national survey data by revealing localized stunting patterns that are not visible in district-level estimates. Strengthening the use of E-PPGBM for micro-planning may support geographically targeted interventions, improve resource allocation, and prioritise high-risk highland communities in local stunting reduction strategies.
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