Preliminary Study: The Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Intervention Targeting Short-Statured Pregnant Women to Prevent Gestational Stunting

Abstract

A short mother with a height < 150 cm is likely to give birth to a short baby with a body length < 48 cm so that later this short baby will become stunted. The success rate of stunting malnutrition prevention and control with specific methods is 30% and the success rate with sensitive methods is 70%. The size at risk for short pregnant women is equal to 30.5%. A major effort to improve the health status of short pregnant women and prevent stunting is to empower short pregnant women with the help of health professionals. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of providing nutrition education to pregnant women who have short stature to prevent gestational stunting. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design in the intervention group and the control group. Research results showed that there are differences in the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of pregnant women about prenatal care services before and after the intervention, as well as knowledge of pregnant women about nutrition before and after intervention. The support of the cadres had a great influence on the intervention group compared with the control group, which received only one module. Pregnant women’s knowledge of nutritional diets and pregnant women’s knowledge of antenatal care (ANC) services directly influence the delivery timing. Interventions to improve the health status of short pregnant women and prevent stunting neonates can be improved by improving the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of short pregnant women about antenatal care, and knowledge of pregnant women about nutritional intake. The Short Pregnancy Medical Framework Support Model was developed for use in providing support to short pregnant women to prevent infant stunting.