Title: Bloom from womb: A descriptive qualitative study on stunting prevention actions in a province of Indonesia
Abstract:
The pregnancy period is an essential time for both mother and fetus as it determines their future health condition, including the risk of childhood stunting. There are limited studies on the efforts to prevent childhood stunting during pregnancy. This research aims to explore the experiences of pregnant women in preventing childhood stunting. Qualitative research with a descriptive qualitative approach was used to gather information about current actions taken by the pregnant women to prevent stunting. One-on-one interviews were conducted by three experts with experience in qualitative study, including experts in public health, maternity nursing, and social warfare. Twenty pregnant women from seven regencies of a province in Indonesia were selected by purposive sampling with criteria including gestational age of 13-40 weeks, living in stunting locus area, recommended by the village midwives, and able to speak Indonesian. They were asked about their ongoing experiences of maintaining health to prevent stunting during pregnancy. The interview process was recorded and transcribed from August-October 2023. Ethical clearance of the study was authorised with the registration number 708/UN6.KEP/EC/2022. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes emerged, including: (1) Stunting prevention behaviour (antenatal care, nutritious food and vitamin); (2) Risky pregnancy experiences (adolescent marriage, no vitamin consumption); (3) Health service support (pregnancy book guideline, medical check-up), and (4) Social support (support from family and health cadres). Various efforts have been made to prevent childhood stunting, and the support felt by pregnant women was explored in this research, including those with high-risk conditions. The assistance program for high-risk pregnant women and innovation in observation methods with a technological approach will support monitoring during pregnancy and is expected to reduce the prevalence of high-risk in mothers and fetuses. This research strengthens the data regarding the implementation of government programs related to the stunting reduction, and serves as a basis for developing follow-up programs that significantly achieve the targets looking to improve maternal and fetal health.
