A Predictive Model for Stunting Risk in Infants Using Health Belief Model Constructs and Feeding Indicators

Musni, M.; Heriyana, D.; Irawati, I.; Bujawati, E.; Syam, A.; Malik, M.

doi:10.58209/hehp.14.2.195

A Predictive Model for Stunting Risk in Infants Using Health Belief Model Constructs and Feeding Indicators

Document Type : Descriptive & Survey

Authors

M. Musni ¹

D. Heriyana ¹

I. Irawati ¹

E. Bujawati ¹

A. Syam ²

M. Malik ³

¹ Department of Midwifery, Institute Batari Toja Bone, Bone Regency, Indonesia

² Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Alauddin State Islamic University, Makassar, Indonesia

³ Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Midwifery Professional Education, Gunung Sari University, Makassar, Indonesia

10.58209/hehp.14.2.195

Abstract

Aims: Stunting in children under five remains a critical public health problem in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas where access to optimal complementary feeding practices and health literacy are limited. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model to identify infants aged 6-12 months at risk of stunting using maternal behavioral determinants and feeding indicators.
Instrument & Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 mother–infant dyads in Kabupaten Bone, Indonesia. The model incorporated constructs from the health belief model, including perceived severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action in feeding, based on WHO/UNICEF criteria (minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet). Structural equation modeling was applied to test direct and indirect pathways to risk classification.
Findings: Feeding practices were the strongest direct predictor of stunting risk (β=0.537; p<0.001). Barriers indirectly increased risk by negatively affecting feeding behavior. The model demonstrated an acceptable fit (standardized root mean square residual=0.061) and explained substantial variance in the primary outcomes (R²=0.825 for intention, 0.526 for feeding practices, and 0.542 for risk).
Conclusion: Maternal beliefs and behavioral intentions highly influence complementary feeding practices, which in turn reduce the risk of stunting in infants.

Keywords

Health Belief Model

Growth Disorders

Weaning

Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Risk Assessment

Subjects

Health Education and Health Behavior

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