Unveiling Maternal Behavior in Stunting Prevention and Control: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Health Promotion Model in Surakarta, Indonesia

Heni Hastuti (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Endang Sutisna Sulaeman (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Anak Agung Alit Kirti Estuti Narendra Putri (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Abdul Rahman (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Amalia Khurotul Mahzunah (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Fresthy Astrika Yunita (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Hardiningsih (Center for Health Promotion and Empowerment Research and Community Service Institute, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia)

Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026)

Background: Child stunting is a major public health problem and a key indicator of child well-being. Indonesia aims to reduce stunting prevalence to below 14% through behavior change communication and health promotion. Guided by the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and the Social Support Model, this study aimed to develop a health promotion model of maternal behavior for stunting prevention and control in Surakarta City. Subjects and Method: This study used cross-sectional research approach. The research location was Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia; conducted for 3 (three) months from June 2024 to August 2024. The target population of this study comprised mothers who were members of the Village-Level Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team (TPPS) in Surakarta City. The sampling technique used quota sampling technique; the sample size was 143 respondents. Data collection techniques used questionnaires; data analysis consisted of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed with multiple logistic regression. Results: The results showed that maternal behavior in stunting prevention and control was not associated with perceived threat (aOR=1.04; 95% CI=0.96 to 1.12; p=0.328), knowledge (aOR=0.87; 95% CI=0.71 to 1.05; p=0.146), outcome expectation (aOR=0.99; 95% CI=0.76 to 1.27; p=0.907), situational perception (aOR=1.03; 95% CI=0.85 to 1.26; p=0.746), self-efficacy (aOR=0.97; 95% CI=0.81 to 1.16; p=0.721), cues to action (aOR=1.02; 95% CI=0.94 to 1.12; p=0.623), or social support (aOR=1.01; 95% CI=0.92 to 1.10; p=0.831). Mothers with longer TPPS involvement had 2.94 times higher odds of demonstrating positive stunting prevention and control behaviors than those with shorter involvement (aOR=2.94; 95% CI=1.31 to 6.61; p=0.009). Conversely, each one-unit increase in perceived expectations was associated with a 6% lower odds of positive maternal behavior (aOR=0.94; 95% CI=0.88 to 1.00; p=0.032).  Conclusion: Duration of TPPS involvement and perceived expectations were significant factors associated with maternal behavior in stunting prevention and control.