Wahyu Gito Putro, Aulia Ratna Sari Anissa, Fresthy Astrika Yunita, Maelia Unayah, R. Tri Rahyuning Lestari

Hubungan Pengetahuan dan Sikap Orangtua terhadap Kejadian Stunting

Introduction

Hubungan pengetahuan dan sikap orangtua terhadap kejadian stunting. Ketahui hubungan pengetahuan & sikap orangtua dengan kejadian stunting di Semarang, Indonesia. Studi mengungkap pengetahuan saja tak cukup; intervensi holistik & struktural esensial untuk pencegahan.

Abstract

Stunting remains a critical public health issue in Indonesia, with a prevalence of 21.6% in 2022. This study aims to analyze the relationship between parental knowledge and attitudes toward stunting management in Tanjungmas, Semarang, given its severe long-term impacts on physical growth, cognitive development, and disease susceptibility. A cross-sectional design was employed, surveying 30 parents of stunted children. Results revealed that while 96.7% of respondents exhibited positive attitudes, 90% lacked understanding of stunting’s long-term consequences. Statistical analysis found no significant correlation between knowledge and positive stunting prevention behavior (p=0.315), indicating that knowledge alone is insufficient to drive behavioral change. Socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and family environment emerged as stronger determinants of parental behavior. The study concludes that holistic interventions addressing structural barriers—such as poverty and healthcare inequities—are essential alongside education. Community-based programs should integrate contextual solutions to improve nutritional practices. Further research is recommended to explore the gap between maternal knowledge and practical childcare behaviors

Review

This study addresses a highly pertinent public health challenge in Indonesia: parental factors influencing stunting. Utilizing a cross-sectional design involving 30 parents of stunted children in Tanjungmas, Semarang, the research aimed to explore the relationship between parental knowledge and attitudes regarding stunting management. The findings reveal a critical disconnect: despite an overwhelming 96.7% of respondents exhibiting positive attitudes, a significant 90% lacked a comprehensive understanding of stunting’s long-term consequences. Crucially, the study found no significant statistical correlation between parental knowledge and positive stunting prevention behavior (p=0.315), challenging the assumption that knowledge directly translates into actionable change. This highlights the complex interplay of factors beyond mere awareness in addressing nutritional outcomes. A notable strength of this paper lies in its timely investigation of a persistent health issue and its bold conclusion that knowledge alone is insufficient for behavioral change, advocating instead for the profound influence of socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and family environment. This perspective is vital for developing more effective public health strategies. However, the study’s small sample size (n=30) represents a significant limitation, impeding the generalizability of its findings and potentially affecting the statistical power to detect meaningful correlations. Furthermore, while the abstract indicates an objective to analyze "attitudes," the primary statistical finding relates to "behavior," suggesting a slight divergence or an incomplete description of the methodology. Greater detail on the operational definition and measurement of "positive stunting prevention behavior" would also enhance the robustness and interpretability of the results. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights by underscoring the limitations of purely educational interventions in combating stunting. It compellingly argues for a holistic approach that integrates educational efforts with structural solutions, such as addressing poverty and healthcare inequities. The recommendation for community-based programs incorporating contextual solutions is particularly salient. Future research would significantly benefit from larger, more diverse samples to validate these findings across broader populations. Furthermore, a deeper exploration into the specific mechanisms through which socioeconomic factors and the home environment influence childcare practices, as well as the observed gap between parental knowledge and practical behaviors, is highly warranted to inform more targeted and effective interventions.

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