Determinants of suboptimal complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–24 months in Natuna: A Case-control study

Effatul Afifah* -  Alma Ata Graduate School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Arif Sabta Aji -  Research Center for Biomedical, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor 16911, West Jawa Province, Indonesia
AD Nabiella -  Alma Ata Graduate School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yhona Paratmanitya -  Alma Ata Graduate School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Herni Dwi Herawati -  Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Herwinda Kusuma Rahayu -  Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
DOI : 10.30867/action.v11i1.2597

Stunting affects more than 22% of children under five years of age globally, including approximately 6.3 million in Indonesia. The 2024 SSGI reported a decline in the national prevalence of stunting from 21.5% to 19.8% in 2023, surpassing the 20.1% target, with a further reduction goal of 14.2% by 2029. However, Natuna Regency reported a prevalence of 16.1% in 2023, exceeding the national target and highlighting the need for evidence-based intervention.  This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal knowledge, attitudes, involvement, and self-confidence in complementary feeding practices among stunted children aged 6–24 months. This study employed a case–control design involving 122 mothers (60 cases and 62 controls). The study was conducted in the working areas of Puskesmas Serasan and Puskesmas Serasan Timur from September to November 2024. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.  Most case group mothers had low knowledge (21.3%), unfavorable attitudes (48.4%), limited involvement (42.6%), and low self-confidence (50%). The results also showed significant associations between maternal factors and feeding practices (p ≤ 0.001). Poor knowledge was the strongest predictor of stunting (OR = 24.0), followed by low self-confidence (OR = 8.8), negative attitude (OR = 7.29), and limited involvement (OR = 5.6). Strengthening maternal capacity is essential for improving feeding practices.

Keywords : Complementary feeding, stunting prevention, area (disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions), maternal behavior

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Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 Effatul Afifah, Arif Sabta Aji, AD Nabiella, Yhona Paratmanitya, Herni Dwi Herawati, Herwinda Kusuma Rahayu
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AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
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