An Exploratory Study: Mothers’ Perceptions of the Determinants of Stunting Among Toddlers in the Working Area of UPTD H.A.H Hasan Public Health Center, Binjai
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54832/phj.v8i1.1338Keywords:
mother's perception, stunting, preventionAbstract
Introduction:Stunting remains a major public health issue in Indonesia, including in the working area of UPTD Puskesmas H.A.H Hasan Binjai. Mothers’ perceptions and feeding practices are critical determinants influencing child growth and nutritional status. Understanding how mothers perceive the direct and indirect causes of stunting is essential to develop effective, culturally appropriate interventions at the community level.
Methods:This study employed a qualitative exploratory design to explore mothers’ perceptions of stunting determinants. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight informants, comprising five mothers of toddlers, one community health volunteer, one village midwife, and one nutrition officer. Data were analyzed thematically through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing following the Miles and Huberman framework.
Results:The findings indicated that most mothers had limited understanding of nutrition, emphasizing food quantity rather than quality. Exclusive breastfeeding practices were suboptimal due to misconceptions that watery breast milk lacks nutrition. Complementary feeding (MP-ASI) was monotonous and low in animal protein. Indirect determinants such as unstructured parenting, limited family support, and poor economic conditions contributed to stunting risk. The main barriers identified were economic hardship, time limitations, and limited access to health services. Mothers with positive perceptions demonstrated more consistent preventive behaviors, such as exclusive breastfeeding, providing diverse complementary foods, and active participation in community health programs.
Conclusions:Mothers’ perceptions significantly influence stunting prevention behaviors. Low nutritional literacy, cultural beliefs, and economic challenges remain key barriers. Effective prevention efforts require family-based and culturally tailored nutrition education supported by community health cadres to enhance maternal understanding and sustainable child health practices.
Keywords:Mothers’ perception, stunting, prevention
Downloads
References
Amare, D., Negesse, A., Tsegaye, B., Assefa, B., Ayenie, B. 2016. Prevalence of Undernutrition and Its Associated Faktors Among Children Below Five Years of Age in Bure Town, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia. Advance in Public Health. (2016). 1–9.
Dinas Kesehatan Kota Binjai. (2023). Profil Kesehatan Kota Binjai 2023. Binjai: Dinkes Kota Binjai.
Dinkes Kabupaten Jember. 2019. Prevalensi Balita Stunting Tahun 2016 sampai 2019. Jember: Dinas Kabupaten Jember.
Dranesia, A., Wanda, D., & Hayati, H. 2019. Pressure to Eat is The Most Determinant Factor of Stunting in Children Under 5 Years of Age in Kerinci Region, Indonesia. Enfermeria Clinica. 1–6.
Fikawati, S., Adhi, E. K., Syafiq, A., & Bakara, S. M. 2019. Age of Milk Introduction Is a Dominant Faktor of Stunting Toddlers Aged 24 Monts in Bogor District; A Cross-Sectional Study. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 18(10). 969–976.
Fikawati, S., Syafiq, A., & Purbaningsih, E. (2020). Determinants of maternal behavior in preventing stunting among under-five children in Indonesia. Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences, 5(1), 45–52.
Fitri, M., Handayani, D., & Lestari, N. (2021). Maternal education and feeding practices associated with stunting in urban Bandung. Public Health of Indonesia, 7(3), 213–220.
Global Nutrition Report. (2021). Country Nutrition Profiles: Indonesia. Retrieved from https://globalnutritionreport.org
Hermawati, B., Indarjo, S., & Sukendra, D. M. The Effect of Seconhand Smoke and Thirdhand Smoke Exposure at Home on Acute Respiratory Infections. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. (362). 246–250.
Hernawati, T., Yusuf, A., & Anggraeni, D. (2021). Sociocultural factors influencing stunting prevention behavior among mothers of toddlers. Jurnal Kebidanan dan Kesehatan Masyarakat, 10(4), 56–64.
Hidayah, R., Anwar, R., & Rahim, A. (2023). Impact of “Gerakan 1000 HPK” on mothers’ perception and practices toward child nutrition. Indonesian Journal of Community Health, 15(1), 55–64.
Kemenkes RI. (2021). Survei Status Gizi Indonesia (SSGI) 2021. Jakarta: Badan Litbangkes.
Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2015). Pedoman Strategi Nasional Percepatan Pencegahan Anak Kerdil (Stunting). Jakarta: Direktorat Gizi Masyarakat.
Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2021). Profil Kesehatan Indonesia 2021. Jakarta: Kemenkes RI.
Nugraheni, S., Rahman, F., & Maulina, A. (2020). Maternal perception of balanced diet and child feeding practice in rural Indonesia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 32(6–7), 412–420.
Puspitasari, I., Hidayati, W., & Fitriana, A. (2021). Relationship between maternal knowledge and practice of stunting prevention in children under five years old. International Journal of Public Health Science, 10(4), 812–818.
Rahayu, N., Tanjung, A., & Putri, D. (2021). Maternal perceptions on protein intake and stunting prevention among toddlers in NTB Province. Journal of Health Research and Development, 13(2), 77–85.
Rahman, R., Wahyuni, S., & Andriani, R. (2020). Breastfeeding perceptions and exclusive breastfeeding practices among working mothers in West Sumatera. Indonesian Journal of Maternal and Child Health, 5(1), 25–33.
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the Health Belief Model. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 328–335.
Sari, N., Fitriani, D., & Rahmawati, E. (2022). Persepsi ibu tentang pencegahan stunting pada balita di Sleman. Jurnal Gizi dan Kesehatan Masyarakat, 14(2), 120–129.
Siregar, F., Marbun, R., & Daulay, R. (2022). Socioeconomic determinants of child stunting in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Public Health, 18(3), 155–164.
Susanti, R., Prabowo, D., & Rina, P. (2022). Family support and maternal feeding behavior related to child growth. Berkala Gizi Klinik Indonesia, 19(1), 49–58.
Susilowati, A., Dwi, N., & Hartati, T. (2023). Effect of “Kelas Ibu Balita” on exclusive breastfeeding practices and knowledge in Yogyakarta. Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion, 9(1), 33–42.
UNICEF. (2020). Improving Young Children’s Diets During the Complementary Feeding Period. New York: UNICEF.
WHO. (2020). Levels and trends in child malnutrition: Key findings of the 2020 edition. Geneva: World Health Organization.
