skip to main content

Community-Led Health Education and Social Mobilization for Improving Stunting Prevention Behavior

*Erik Kusuma scopus publons  -  Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Indonesia
Ayu Dewi Nastiti scopus publons  -  Universitas Jember, Indonesia
Dwining Handayani scopus publons  -  Universitas Jember, Indonesia
R.A. Helda Puspitasari scopus publons  -  Universitas Jember, Indonesia
Iis Rahmawati scopus publons  -  Universitas Jember, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 Erik Kusuma
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

Background: Stunting remains prevalent in Indonesia’s coastal regions, where social norms and resource limitations hinder the implementation of preventive practices. In Tapa’an Village, Pasuruan, these challenges are compounded by the influence of extended family, unstable income, and restricted access to clean water. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a community-led health education program combined with digital reinforcement on mothers’ stunting-prevention behaviors, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework.

Method: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted with 57 mothers of children under five. Data on attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were collected using validated questionnaires. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and ANOVA to assess mean differences, and Pearson correlation to explore inter-domain relationships, chosen to capture both magnitude and interaction of behavioral change.

Result : Significant improvements were found across all TPB constructs (p < 0.001) with large effect sizes (η² > 0.80). The most substantial change occurred in behavioral intention, driven by enhanced attitudes and social approval. Mothers described greater motivation, confidence, and collective encouragement after receiving digital reminders. The integration of participatory learning and digital cues effectively transformed individual awareness into a shared community practice. Digital reinforcement uniquely sustained motivation beyond group sessions, especially among digitally active mothers in extended families. Despite the design’s lack of a control group and short observation period, findings highlight the model’s potential for adaptation in coastal maternal health programs. Embedding digital reinforcement into Puskesmas activities could strengthen long-term stunting prevention efforts.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: health education;social mobilization;stunting prevention

Article Metrics:

  1. Kusuma E, Handayani D, Nastiti AD, Puspitasari RAH. Edukasi Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) dalam Membangun Gaya Hidup Sehat Sejak Dini di Wilayah Pesisir Kota Pasuruan. Creat J Cumn Enga. 2023 Aug 4;6(9):3522–33.
  2. Handayani D, Kusuma E, Puspitasari H, Nastiti AD. The Factors Affecting Stunting in Toddlers in Coastal Areas. J Sci n.a. 2022 Aug 10;7(3):755–64
  3. Nasution AF, Asnawi AA, Saragih AM, Erwina BP, Gurning FP. Analisis Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) Masyarakat Pesisir Kelurahan Bagan Deli Kecamatan Medan Belawan. JIUBJ. 2023 July 26;23(2):1985
  4. Torere W, Goni S, Waani F. Peran Ganda Istri Nelayan Pada Masyarakat Pesisir Di Desa Kima Bajo Kecamatan Wori Kabupaten Minahasa Utara. Journal Of Social Cultural. 2019;12(4):1–19
  5. Ulva N, Haris M, Suryaningsih M. Mother Behavior in Stunting Prevention Based on an Integrated Behavior Model that Adapts the Theory of Planned Behavior: Model Development. TIJPH. 2025 Mar 28;13(01):1–14
  6. Hagger MS. The Reasoned Action Approach and the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019
  7. Bosnjak M, Ajzen I, Schmidt P. The theory of planned behavior: Selected recent advances and applications. Eur J Psychol. 2020 Aug 31;16(3):352–6
  8. Liu S, Fan X, Jiang L, Liu T. Factors influencing nutritional literacy among rural older adults: a cross-sectional survey based on the theory of planned behavior. Front Nutr. 2025 July 7;12:1578836
  9. Sinaga TR, Nababan D, Manurung K, Sitompul WN, Hati S. Pencegahan Stunting Melalui Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dengan Komunikasi Dan Edukasi Di Desa Tanjung Beringin I Kabupaten Dairi. Jurnal Abdimas Mutiara. 2025;6(1):203–16
  10. Basnawiyati A, Sadhana K, Wiyani W. Implementation of Stunting Prevention Movement Program. IJRSS. 2024;05(11):05–14
  11. Imansari L, Suryani D. Description Of The Implementation Of The Simultaneous Measurement And Intervention Program For Stunting Management In The Banguntapan III Public Health Center Area. Sean Institute. 2024;15(03):1076–89
  12. Winarno W, Fikawati S, Damayanti R, Syafiq A, Nanere M, Ahnan-Winarno AD. Analysis of Critical Beliefs in Diverse Complementary Food Intervention Using Planned Behavior Theory. Universal Journal of Public Health. 2023 Nov 6;11(3):332–41
  13. Wardanu AP, Uliyanti, Ariyanti I. Hubungan Pengetahuan Gizi Ibu, Perilaku Sadar Gizi, Dan Perilaku Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat Terhadap Kejadian Stunting Pada Anak Usia 0-24 Bulan Di Kecamatan Simpang Hilir Kabupaten Kayong Utara. jjum. 2023 Jan 17;9(2):123–39
  14. Amalia A, Dewi PAPL, Salsabilla LR, Wardan IGANRK, Sakti HF, Yanseda YT, et al. Penerapan Pola Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) Sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Stunting di Desa Eyat Mayang Kecamatan Lembar Kabupaten Lombok Barat. JPMPI. 2022 Dec 11;5(4):338–42
  15. Bandura A. Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman; 1997
  16. Chairani M, Akbar F. Pencegahan Stunting Melalui Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sanitasi. Communnity Development Journal. 2023;4(6):11956–60
  17. Hambali H, Thahir R. Edukasi Anti Stunting dan Penerapan Pola Hidup Bersih dan Sehat di TK ABA Sudiang Kota Makassar. Madaniya. 2023;4(4):1857–63
  18. Ulva N, Devy SR, Indriani D, Yasin Z. Determining factors affecting mothers’ behaviour in stunting prevention in rural Madura, Indonesia. AJRH. 2024 Oct 31;28(10s):100–10
  19. Utami RDP, Rahmawati N, Cahyaningtyas ME. Hubungan Pengetahuan Orang Tua Tentang Phbs Dengan Perilaku Pencegahan ISPA. Intan Husada J Ilm Keperawatan. 2020 July 29;8(2):49–58
  20. Leroy JL, Olney DK, Nduwabike N, Ruel MT
  21. Tubaramure, a Food-Assisted Integrated Health and Nutrition Program, Reduces Child Wasting in Burundi: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial. The Journal of Nutrition. 2021 Jan;151(1):197–205
  22. Eriyani T, Komariah M. Edukasi Stunting dan PBHS dalam Upaya Pengenalan dan Pencegahan Dini Stunting di SMP 1 Darul Falah Cihampelas Kabupaten Bandung Barat. btjpm. 2023 June 16;5(2):1106
  23. Kusuma E, Nastiti AD, Puspitasari RAH, Handayani D. Edukasi melalui Buklet Sehat untuk Meningkatkan Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) pada Masyarakat Pesisir Kota Pasuruan. keperawatan. 2022 Oct 23;14(4):917–22
  24. V Tamim FM, Putra AG, Bagaskara RA, Liveranny KZ, Fitriyah LI, Sa’diyah K, et al. Sosialisasi Mengenai Gizi Seimbang Dan PHBS (Pola Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat) Guna Mengurangi Angka Stunting Di Desa Sumbersalak Kecamatan Ledokombo Kabupaten Jember. JPM ITTC. 2023 Aug 24;2(2):106–11
  25. Dhefiana T, Reni S, Hansen H. Hubungan Penerapan Perilaku Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat (PHBS) Orang Tua Dengan Kejadian Stunting Di Kelurahan Air Hitam Kota Samarinda. Sanitasi. 2023 Feb 28;16(1):20–8
  26. Halwa EN. Digital Communication of Stunting Prevention: A Qualitative Analysis on Instagram. ath-thariq. 2025 July 3;9(1):98–109
  27. Ratri SD. Digital Echoes: The Influence of Internet and Social Media on the “Ideal” Conception of Motherhood in Indonesian Stunting Programs. mjs. 2024 Jan 25;29(1):1–33

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2025-12-19 11:52:38

No citation recorded.