Abstract
Background: Stunting remains a major public health problem in Indonesia and is closely associated with inadequate nutritional practices, poor childcare behaviors, and limited family support. Maternal motivation plays an important role in the implementation of stunting prevention practices; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of family assistance programs in improving maternal motivation and preventive behaviors remains limited.
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of a family assistance program on maternal motivation and stunting prevention practices among families at risk of stunting in Jombang, East Java Province, Indonesia.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design was conducted among 70 mothers with children under five years old in Jombang Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Participants were divided into an intervention group (n = 35) and a control group (n = 35). The intervention group received a structured family assistance program consisting of health education, home visits, counselling, and family mentoring for four weeks, while the control group received routine health services. Data were collected using questionnaires on maternal motivation and maternal behaviours in efforts to prevent stunting. Statistical analyses were performed using paired sample t-tests and independent sample t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: The findings showed significant improvements in maternal motivation and stunting prevention practices among participants in the intervention group following the family assistance program. Maternal motivation scores increased from 61.43 ± 7.25 to 84.27 ± 6.14 (p < 0.001), while stunting prevention practice scores increased from 58.76 ± 8.11 to 82.35 ± 5.88 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group showed no statistically significant changes in either maternal motivation or preventive practices. Post-test comparisons also demonstrated significantly higher scores in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The family assistance program was effective in enhancing maternal motivation and improving stunting prevention practices among families at risk of stunting. Family-centered mentoring interventions may serve as a promising community-based strategy to strengthen maternal engagement in child health promotion and support stunting reduction efforts in Indonesia.