Health Belief, Psychological Conditions, and Treatment-Seeking Behavior in Caregivers of Stunting Toddlers in Rural Areas
Abstract
Stunting in toddlers is still a global problem that has a serious impact on the social and economic aspects of society. The increase in the number of stunting cases that are not treated causes the condition of toddlers to worsen. This is caused by the health beliefs and psychological condition of the caregiver. This research aims to analyze the relationship between health beliefs psychological conditions and treatment-seeking behavior. This research design uses correlational analytics with a cross-sectional approach. The independent variables are health beliefs and psychological conditions, while the dependent variable is treatment-seeking behavior. This research was conducted in the Keling II Community Health Center Working Area, Jepara Regency in January 2025. A sample of 100 caregivers of stunted toddlers was taken using a purposive sampling technique according to certain criteria. The research instruments used the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-8), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). Data analysis used the chi-square test. The research results show that there is a significant relationship between health beliefs and treatment-seeking behavior in caregivers of stunting toddlers with a value of p = 0.000 (p < 0.05) and a correlation coefficient value (r = 0.417), and there is a significant relationship between psychological conditions and treatment seeking behavior with a value of p < 0.001 (p < 0.05) with a moderate correlation coefficient (r = 0.420). Health beliefs and psychological conditions of care givers shape treatment-seeking behavior. There is a need for intervention to improve treatment-seeking behavior by increasing health beliefs and the psychological condition of caregivers.
References
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Novitasari, T. H., Ririanty, M., & Nafikadini, I. (2023). The beliefs of health-seeking behavior of fishermen in coastal Puger Jember Regency. International Journal of Islamic and Complementary Medicine, 4(2), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.55116/ijicm.v4i2.41
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Nurhidayati, I., Suciana, F., & Zulcharim, I. (2019). The relationship between health beliefs and medication adherence in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Community Nursing Science, 27. https://doi.org/10.32584/jikk.v2i2.412
Nurlena, Multazam, A., & Muchlis, N. (2021). Community Treatment Search Patterns During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Minasa Upa Village, Rappocini District, Makasar City. Window Of Public Health Journal, 2(4), 727–736.
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Sidik, N. K., Asrina, A., & Syam, N. (2022). The behavior of seeking treatment for malaria in the people of Muari village, Oransbari sub-district, South Manokwari district. Window of Public Health Journal, 3(4), 761–770. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33096/woph.v3i4.542
Syafitri, D. U. (2021). Behavior of seeking psychological help among students at Sultan Agung Islamic University, Semarang. Proceeding of Inter-Islamic University Conference on Psychology, 1(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21070/iiucp.v1i1.604
Syahida, A. A., Ratnawati, & Suparmi. (2022). The relationship between parenting patterns and the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 6-59 months. Sultan Agung Scientific Journal, 286–295.
Utami, E., Sumiatin, T., Su'udi, & Retna, T. (2024). The Relationship Between Maternal Psychological Factors and the Incident of Stunting Toddlers in the Merakurak Community Health Center Working Area, Tuban. Wahana Pendidikan Scientific Journal, 2024(6), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10642775
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Wardani, N. E. K., & Harumi, A. M. (2022). Factor Analysis of Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers to the Behavior of Mothers of Toddlers in Stunting Prevention Based on the Health Belief Model Theory. Malahayati Nursing Journal, 4(3), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.33024/mnj.v4i3.5974
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Widiastuti, A., Ermawati, M., & Nasrul, F. (2022). The stigma of stunted children poses a risk to mental health. Nursing Journal, 14(4), 1213–1230. https://doi.org/https;//doi.org/10.32583/keperawatan.v14i4.514
Wulandari, I., Hernisawati, & Tohir, M. (2019). Psychological Conditions of Adolescents Due to Lack of Parental Attention in Balekencono Village. Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 1(1), 53–60. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51214/bocp.v1i2.4
Anwar, S., Winarti, E., Bachelor of Public Health, P., Kadiri, U., Selomangleng No, J., Kediri, K., Timur, J., & Health Sciences, F. (2022). Systematic review of risk factors, causes, and impact of stunting in children (systematic review of risk factors, causes, and impact of stunting in children). Journal of Health Sciences, 11(1), 88. https://doi.org/https;//doi.org/10.32831/jik.v11i1.445
Apriluana, G., & Fikawati, S. (2019). Analysis of Risk Factors for Stunting Incidents in Toddlers (0-59 Months) in Developing Countries and Southeast Asia. Health Research and Development Media, 28(4), 247–256. https://doi.org/10.22435/mpk.v28i4.472
Aryati, D., Irianto, S. E., & Karyus, A. (2023). Analysis of factors influencing the incidence of stunting among toddlers in North Lampung Regency. JPKM: Journal of Public Health Professionals, 4(2), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.47575/jpkm.v4i2.492
Not, M., Limbu, R., & Ndoen, E. (2020). Description of the behavior of seeking treatment for tuberculosis (TB) in the community in the working area of the Uitao Health Center, Semau District, Kupang Regency. Public Health Media, 2(3), 8–16. https://doi.org/10.35508/mkm
Central Java Health Office. (2023). CENTRAL JAVA HEALTH PROFILE IN 2023.
Jepara District Health Office. (2022). Jepara District Health Profile 2022-1_240710_071522.
Doll, C. M., Michel, C., Rosen, M., Osman, N., Schimmelmann, B. G., & Schultze-Lutter, F. (2021). Predictors of help-seeking behavior in people with mental health problems: a 3-year prospective community study. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03435-4
Febristi, A., & Antoni, A. (2023). Description of the psychological status of parents regarding the incidence of stunting in the Kenagarian Pematang Panjang work area, district. sijunjung in 2022. TOWER OF KNOWLEDGE, 17(01), 1–8. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31869/mi.v17i1.4184
Indanah, I., Wanda, D., & Nurhaeni, N. (2022). Empowerment of Parents with Stunting Children. Aisyah Journal: Journal of Health Sciences, 7(4), 1013–1022. https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v7i4.1183
Indonesian Ministry of Health. (2024). Indonesia Health Profile 2023.
Komalasari, Supriati, E., Sanjaya. Riona, & Ifayanti. Wisdom. (2020). Factors Causing Stunting in Toddlers. Indonesian Health Magazine, 1(2), 51–56. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47679/MAKEIN.202010
Kuwa, M., Gaharpung, M., Wega, M., Arisna, B., & Sulastien, H. (2024). An overview of the parenting patterns of parents who have stunted children. Journal of Mental Nursing (JKJ): Indonesian National Nurses Association, 12(3).
Laila, M., Bolang, A. S. L., Manampiring, A. E., Kapantow, N. H., & Umboh, A. (2023). Relationship of health belief model of parents with the incidence of stunting of toddlers in the area of health center bomomani district mapia dogiyai regency papua. Prepotif: Journal of Public Health, 7(1).
Laili, N., & Tanoto, W. (2021). Community health belief model in the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine. Nursing Health Scientific Journal, 17(3), 198–207. https://doi.org/10.26753/jikk.v17i3.625
Madhe, M., Susaldi, Agustina, N., Masturoh, A., Rahmawati, & Aurima, J. (2021). Factors Associated with the Incident of Stunting in Toddlers in Indonesia. Open Access Jakarta Journal Of Health Sciences, 01(02), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.53801/oajjhs.v1i3.23
Masita, S., Buanasari, A., Silolonga, W., Studi, P., Nursing, I., & Medicine, F. (2019). The relationship between trust and help-seeking behavior in families of people with mental disorders in Ternate City. E-Journal of Nursing(e-Kp), 7(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35790/jkp.v7i1.24351
Mustafa, G., Asghar, I., & Muhammad, H. (2020). Health-seeking behavior among psychiatric patients attending psychiatry outdoors of a tertiary care hospital. Journal of Sheikh Zayed Medical College, 8(1), 1134–1138. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344673029
Novitasari, T. H., Ririanty, M., & Nafikadini, I. (2023). The beliefs of health-seeking behavior of fishermen in coastal Puger Jember Regency. International Journal of Islamic and Complementary Medicine, 4(2), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.55116/ijicm.v4i2.41
Nugroho, M. R., Sasongko, R. N., & Kristiawan, M. (2021). Factors that influence the incidence of stunting in early childhood in Indonesia. Journal of Obsession: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 5(2), 2269–2276. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v5i2.1169
Nurhidayati, I., Suciana, F., & Zulcharim, I. (2019). The relationship between health beliefs and medication adherence in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Community Nursing Science, 27. https://doi.org/10.32584/jikk.v2i2.412
Nurlena, Multazam, A., & Muchlis, N. (2021). Community Treatment Search Patterns During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Minasa Upa Village, Rappocini District, Makasar City. Window Of Public Health Journal, 2(4), 727–736.
Paramitha, I. A., Arifiana, R., Pangestu, G., Rahayu, N. A., & Rosidi, A. (2024). Description of the incidence of stunting based on maternal characteristics in toddlers aged 24-59 months. Healthy: Journal of Health Sciences Research Innovation, 3(1), 37–44. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.51878/healthy.v3i1.2736
Putri, L. T. D., Kartasurya, M. I., & Musthofa, S. B. (2024). Self-Stigma, Experiences and Psychological Conditions of Mothers Having Children with Malnutrition-Stunting: Literature Review. Indonesian Health Promotion Publication Media (MPPKI): The Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion, 7(7), 1764–1771. https://doi.org/10.56338/mppki.v7i7.5407
Saripah, S., Madyan, M., & Afriansyah, A. (2021). Psychology of parents who suffer from stunting in Teluk Village, Pemayung District. Doctor Dissertation.
Sidik, N. K., Asrina, A., & Syam, N. (2022). The behavior of seeking treatment for malaria in the people of Muari village, Oransbari sub-district, South Manokwari district. Window of Public Health Journal, 3(4), 761–770. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33096/woph.v3i4.542
Syafitri, D. U. (2021). Behavior of seeking psychological help among students at Sultan Agung Islamic University, Semarang. Proceeding of Inter-Islamic University Conference on Psychology, 1(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21070/iiucp.v1i1.604
Syahida, A. A., Ratnawati, & Suparmi. (2022). The relationship between parenting patterns and the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 6-59 months. Sultan Agung Scientific Journal, 286–295.
Utami, E., Sumiatin, T., Su'udi, & Retna, T. (2024). The Relationship Between Maternal Psychological Factors and the Incident of Stunting Toddlers in the Merakurak Community Health Center Working Area, Tuban. Wahana Pendidikan Scientific Journal, 2024(6), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10642775
Utami, N. W., & Rahmadhena, M. P. (2020). Description of the Implementation of the Health Belief Model for Stunting Toddlers in the Minggir Sleman Community Health Center Area. INVOLUTION Health Journal, 26–32. https://doi.org/prefix 10.61902/involution
Wardani, N. E. K., & Harumi, A. M. (2022). Factor Analysis of Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers to the Behavior of Mothers of Toddlers in Stunting Prevention Based on the Health Belief Model Theory. Malahayati Nursing Journal, 4(3), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.33024/mnj.v4i3.5974
WHO. (2024). Monitoring health for the SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals.
Widiastuti, A., Ermawati, M., & Nasrul, F. (2022). The stigma of stunted children poses a risk to mental health. Nursing Journal, 14(4), 1213–1230. https://doi.org/https;//doi.org/10.32583/keperawatan.v14i4.514
Wulandari, I., Hernisawati, & Tohir, M. (2019). Psychological Conditions of Adolescents Due to Lack of Parental Attention in Balekencono Village. Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 1(1), 53–60. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51214/bocp.v1i2.4
Published
2025-05-30
How to Cite
INDANAH, Indanah; MAULUDINA, Ibtasama; JAUHAR, Muhamad.
Health Belief, Psychological Conditions, and Treatment-Seeking Behavior in Caregivers of Stunting Toddlers in Rural Areas.
Journal of Bionursing, [S.l.], v. 7, n. 2, p. 71-85, may 2025.
ISSN 2685-6484.
Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/job/article/view/15853>. Date accessed: 04 nov. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.job.2025.7.2.15853.
Section
Articles
Kampus keperawatan unsoed 
Published By Jurusan Keperawatan FIKES UNSOED
bionursing@unsoed.ac.id
