Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 14(2), pp. 228 - 238
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140203
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The Influence of Health Belief Model Indicators on Pregnant Women's Behavior in Preventing Low Birth Weight

Septiana Juwita ¹, Suwarto ^1,2, Ika Sumiyarsi Sukamto ^1,3,*, Sugihardjo ^1,2
1 Postgraduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
² Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
³ Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Low Birth Weight (LBW) is globally defined as a newborn weighing less than 2,500 grams, regardless of gestational age. LBW is one of the key indicators reflecting various complex public health issues, and it significantly contributes to both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze seven Health Belief Model (HBM) indicators in relation to pregnant women's behavior in preventing LBW. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used. Purposeful high-risk cluster sampling was applied, resulting in a sample of 220 third-trimester pregnant women. Sampling was conducted at four health centers with the highest LBW case numbers. Inclusion criteria: third-trimester pregnant women, residing for at least 1 year, able to read and write. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, processed with SPSS version 29. Results showed that perceived benefits (B = 0,015; p = 0,022), health motivation (B = 0,015; p < 0,001), and cues to action (B = 0,008; p < 0,001) had positive and significant effects on health behavior. In contrast, perceived susceptibility (p = 0.114), perceived severity (p = 0.531), perceived barriers (p = 0.395), and self-efficacy (p = 0.693) did not show statistically significant effects, as their p-values exceeded 0.05 and their 95% confidence intervals crossed zero. The findings indicate that perceived benefits, health motivation, and especially cues to action are the strongest determinants of health behavior, while perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, and self-efficacy do not show significant direct effects in the multivariate model. These results highlight the importance of designing health promotion programs that emphasize motivational reinforcement and consistent external cues to effectively improve healthy behaviors in practice.

KEYWORDS
Indicators, Health Belief Model, Pregnant Women, Behavior, Low Birth Weight

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Septiana Juwita , Suwarto , Ika Sumiyarsi Sukamto , Sugihardjo , "The Influence of Health Belief Model Indicators on Pregnant Women's Behavior in Preventing Low Birth Weight," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 228 - 238, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140203.

(b). APA Format:
Septiana Juwita , Suwarto , Ika Sumiyarsi Sukamto , Sugihardjo (2026). The Influence of Health Belief Model Indicators on Pregnant Women's Behavior in Preventing Low Birth Weight. Universal Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 228 - 238. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140203.