Background

Stunting was a global health issue caused by chronic malnutrition, particularly among pregnant women and children. Socio-cultural factors, such as beliefs, values, and local practices, influenced the acceptance and effectiveness of nutritional interventions.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify a model of specific and sensitive nutritional interventions based on transcultural nursing to treatment stunting.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among 312 mothers with stunted children, selected using stratified random sampling in three public health center areas. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire to measure socio-cultural dimensions (technology, religion and philosophy of life, social and family support, cultural values and lifestyles, politics and policy, education, economy) and nutritional interventions (specific and sensitive interventions). Meanwhile, maternal and child factor data used a sociodemographic questionnaire, with stunting also measured by a Z-score. Data analysis was conducted using SEM-PLS.

Results

Factor of technology, social and family support, and cultural values and lifestyles significantly influenced specific nutritional interventions. Meanwhile, religion and philosophy of life, social and family support, politics and policy, education, economy, maternal factors, and child factors significantly influenced sensitive nutritional intervention. Furthermore, both specific and sensitive nutritional interventions were significantly impacted to address stunting. However, social and family support influenced both specific and sensitive nutrition interventions. Indirect effects revealed that religion and philosophy of life, politics and policy, education, and maternal factors significantly influenced stunting through nutritional interventions.

Conclusions

Nutritional interventions based on transcultural nursing were proven effective in integrating social and cultural factors to enhance the success of stunting reduction. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the synergy between health programs and local cultural approaches to improve the effectiveness of nutritional interventions in multicultural areas.