Mother's Experiences in Caring for Children with Stunting in Rural Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION

Stunting is a major health problem in Indonesia. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of mothers who take care of stunted children in rural Pamekasan Madura, Indonesia.

METHODS

This research employed a phenomenological approach and conducted in-depth interviews with 11 mothers in rural Pamekasan Madura, Indonesia, using purposive sampling. Data collection took place from June to September 2023.

RESULTS

This study presents Madurese mothers' experiences caring for their children with stunting through two themes and five sub-themes: (a) beliefs passed down for generations: strong ancestral influence on feeding behaviors, traditional food, and traditional health-seeking behavior; and (b) insufficient resources on nutrition: a lack of time and money to provide nutrition-rich food and a lack of nutrition information.

DISCUSSION

Cultural beliefs, a lack of nutrition education, and economic barriers contribute to stunting in children. Our findings guide the design of tailored interventions for preventing stunting in Indonesian families and global communities.