TREN PERTUMBUHAN BERAT BADAN KURANG PADA ANAK USIA 0–2 TAHUN DI PUSKESMAS PLAOSAN, MAGETAN, TAHUN 2023–2025

Abstract

Pregnancy is a highly anticipated stage in a woman’s life, yet it is also a period associated with various health risks. Pregnancy complications and warning signs may go unrecognized, including nutritional problems that can adversely affect maternal and fetal health. Several maternal and pregnancy-related nutritional issues remain prevalent, such as chronic energy deficiency (CED), low birth weight (LBW), and anemia. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention using the Nutrition Snakes and Ladders game in improving pregnant women’s knowledge and attitudes toward nutrition during pregnancy. A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted using a non-equivalent pretest–posttest control group design at Banjarejo Community Health Center. A total of 40 pregnant women were recruited through cluster random sampling and allocated into an intervention group receiving the Nutrition Snakes and Ladders* educational game (n = 20) and a control group receiving conventional education through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook (n = 20). Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire and analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Mann–Whitney U test, with a significance level of 0.05. Following the intervention, the proportion of pregnant women with good nutritional knowledge in the intervention group increased to 95.0%, while those demonstrating positive attitudes reached 100.0%. The Wilcoxon test revealed a statistically significant difference in knowledge and attitudes before and after the intervention (p = 0.000). Furthermore, the Mann–Whitney U test demonstrated significant differences in knowledge and attitudes between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.001). The Nutrition Snakes and Ladders game was shown to be an effective educational medium for improving pregnant women’s nutritional knowledge and attitudes. As an interactive and easy-to-understand approach, this game may serve as an alternative health education strategy to support improved maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.