Educational Video and Changes in Vitamin D Knowledge and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Among Pregnant Women

Suryani Suryani (Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Jambi, Indonesia)
Atika Fadhilah Danaz Nst (Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Jambi, Indonesia)
Murdayah Murdayah (Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Jambi, Indonesia)
Yuli Suryanti (Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Jambi, Indonesia)
Alifvirenzi Gigih Ayu Putri (Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Jambi, Indonesia)

Journal of Nutrition Explorations
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): May

Limited knowledge of vitamin D requirements may hinder appropriate nutritional practices during pregnancy. However, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is an anthropometric indicator of maternal nutritional status rather than a biomarker of vitamin D status. This study examined changes in knowledge of vitamin D requirements and MUAC following video-based education among pregnant women. A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control-group design included 69 pregnant women recruited through total population sampling at the Aur Duri Public Health Center, Jambi City, Indonesia. Participants were non-randomly allocated according to antenatal care schedule clusters to either the intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 34). The intervention consisted of a 4-minute 5-second educational video shown twice and made available via WhatsApp throughout an eight-week follow-up period, while the control group received standard antenatal care. Knowledge was assessed using a 15-item questionnaire developed from national guidelines, although formal psychometric validation of the instrument was not documented. MUAC was measured using a standardized protocol. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate between-group differences, adjusting for baseline outcome values, maternal age, gestational age, employment status, and parity. The study received ethical exemption (No. LB.02.06/2/0838/2025), and all participants provided written informed consent. The unadjusted between-group difference in change was 3.07 points for knowledge (95% CI: 2.57–3.57; p < 0.001) and 0.43 cm for MUAC (95% CI: 0.27–0.59; p < 0.001). After adjustment, the corresponding between-group differences were 3.04 points for knowledge (95% CI: 2.52–3.56; p < 0.001) and 0.41 cm for MUAC (95% CI: 0.24–0.59; p < 0.001). Video-based education was associated with greater short-term improvements in knowledge of vitamin D requirements and MUAC than standard antenatal care. However, given the non-randomized allocation and the absence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements, the observed difference in MUAC should not be interpreted as evidence of improved vitamin D status.