Pregnant Women’s Autonomy in Consuming Animal-Source Protein and Local Lactogogue Foods for Stunting Prevention in Seluma, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-571-3_18How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Pregnant women’s autonomy; animal-source protein; lactogogue foods; stunting prevention

Abstract

Background: Stunting remains a major public health problem in Indonesia and requires prevention starting from pregnancy. Although stunting prevalence in Seluma District, Bengkulu Province, has declined, it has not yet reached the national target of 14% by 2025. Strengthening pregnant women’s autonomy in meeting nutritional needs particularly consumption of animal-source protein and local lactogogue foods is essential but remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to describe pregnant women’s autonomy in consuming animal-source protein and local lactogogue foods for stunting prevention, viewed through empowerment theory and Nola J. Pender’s Health Promotion Model. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were carried out with 13 pregnant women, supported by community health cadres, midwives, nutrition officers, and mothers of stunted toddlers. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Pregnant women demonstrated limited nutrition knowledge and skills related to protein sources and food processing. Economic constraints and household food prioritization reduced consumption of animal-source protein, despite relatively adequate decision-making autonomy. Conclusion: Pregnant women’s nutritional autonomy remains limited at the behavioral level. Empowerment-based, family-involved nutrition interventions are needed to support sustainable maternal nutrition and early stunting prevention.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Iin Nilawati
AU  - Suwarto Suwarto
AU  - Suminah Suminah
AU  - Vitri Widyaningsih
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/06
TI  - Pregnant Women’s Autonomy in Consuming Animal-Source Protein and Local Lactogogue Foods for Stunting Prevention in Seluma, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study
BT  - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies 2025 (ICOMSI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 218
EP  - 229
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-571-3_18
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-571-3_18
ID  - Nilawati2026
ER  -