Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 14(2), pp. 307 - 314
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140211
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Determinants of Pregnant Women's Knowledge of Stunting Prevention, Focusing on the Roles of Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Maternal Characteristics

Delima ^1,2, Neviyarni ², Afdal ^2,*, Firman ², Yarmis Syukur ², Sari Arlinda ³, Yura Witsqa Firmansyah ^4
1 Department of Nursing, Health Polytechnic of the Health Ministry of Padang, Indonesia
² Guidance and Counselling Doctoral Program, Faculty of Education Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
³ Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang City, Indonesia
⁴ Department of Hospital Administration, STIKES Adi Husada, Surabaya City, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Stunting continues to pose a serious public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia. Maternal knowledge during pregnancy plays a crucial role in early prevention, yet the relative contribution of social support, self-efficacy, and maternal characteristics remains underexplored. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 randomly selected pregnant women registered at community health centers in Padang City. Data were collected through validated questionnaires covering knowledge of stunting prevention, social support, self-efficacy, and maternal characteristics. Reliability and validity testing confirmed acceptable values (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.70, CR > 0.70, AVE > 0.50). Structural equation modeling with SmartPLS version 3 was applied to assess relationships among variables, with significance determined at p < 0.05. The model demonstrated strong explanatory power, accounting for 71.3% of the variance in maternal knowledge (R² = 0.713; adjusted R² = 0.705). Maternal characteristics (β = 0.332, p < 0.001), social support (β = 0.216, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (β = 0.090, p = 0.015) were all significant positive predictors. Effect size analysis revealed social support as the most influential determinant (f² = 0.513, large), followed by self-efficacy (f² = 0.198, moderate), and maternal characteristics (f² = 0.125, small-to-moderate). Predictive relevance was substantial (Q² = 0.560). Pregnant women's knowledge of stunting prevention is shaped primarily by social support, with complementary roles of self-efficacy and maternal characteristics. Interventions that integrate family- and community-based support with strategies to enhance maternal confidence and education may significantly improve stunting prevention efforts in vulnerable populations.

KEYWORDS
Stunting, Maternal Knowledge, Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Maternal Characteristics

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Delima , Neviyarni , Afdal , Firman , Yarmis Syukur , Sari Arlinda , Yura Witsqa Firmansyah , "Determinants of Pregnant Women's Knowledge of Stunting Prevention, Focusing on the Roles of Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Maternal Characteristics," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 307 - 314, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140211.

(b). APA Format:
Delima , Neviyarni , Afdal , Firman , Yarmis Syukur , Sari Arlinda , Yura Witsqa Firmansyah (2026). Determinants of Pregnant Women's Knowledge of Stunting Prevention, Focusing on the Roles of Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Maternal Characteristics. Universal Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 307 - 314. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140211.