<![CDATA[Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that negatively affects children's linear growth due to prolonged inadequate nutritional intake. This condition is an indicator of suboptimal child growth and development. Several factors contribute to the occurrence of stunting, including low birth weight (LBW), diarrheal infections, inadequate nutritional intake, incomplete immunization, low socioeconomic status, and parental education and knowledge levels. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal education and knowledge levels and the incidence of stunting among children under five years of age in Medan Marelan District. This study employed an observational analytical method with a cross-sectional design. A total of 47 respondents were selected using consecutive sampling. The results showed that 29 children (93.5%) out of 31 respondents with poor knowledge experienced stunting. Meanwhile, among 13 respondents with moderate knowledge, 7 children (53.8%) experienced stunting, whereas no cases of stunting were observed among respondents with good knowledge (3 respondents). Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test as an alternative to the chi-square test revealed a significant association between maternal knowledge and stunting, with a significance value (p = 0.001). Conversely, maternal educational level showed no significant association with stunting (p = 0.192). These findings indicate that maternal knowledge is significantly associated with stunting among children under five years of age, whereas maternal educational level does not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship. Therefore, improving maternal awareness and knowledge regarding nutrition and child health may serve as an effective strategy to reduce the prevalence of stunting.]]>
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