<![CDATA[Background: The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) provides a school-based setting for nutrition delivery and reinforcement of clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS). Evidence describing students’ PHBS and MBG implementation in Papua remains limited.Objectives: This study described students’ PHBS, identified factors associated with PHBS, and explored supporting and inhibiting factors in MBG implementation.Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study with a cross-sectional quantitative component was conducted from September to October 2025 at SD Negeri Inpres Kotaraja, Jayapura. All 318 eligible students in grades IV–VI were included. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and PHBS. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and crude odds ratios (CORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with three teachers and the principal and analyzed thematically using the Miles and Huberman framework. Results: Overall, 77.0% of students had good PHBS. Attitude was associated with PHBS (p = 0.030; COR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.10–3.34), whereas age, sex, grade level, and knowledge were not associated (p > 0.05). Qualitative findings highlighted perceived program benefits, supervised routines such as handwashing before meals, logistical constraints, parental concerns, and recommendations for improving food distribution and menu acceptance.Conclusion: Most students demonstrated good PHBS, and attitude was the only measured factor associated with PHBS. MBG implementation was perceived as a practical context for reinforcing healthy routines, although operational and family-related barriers need to be addressed.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
