Utilization of Mobile-Based Educational Applications (E-Stunted) to Improve Mothers’ Knowledge About Stunting: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Stunting remains a major public health concern in Indonesia, 
particularly in rural areas where access to health education is limited. Enhanc
ing maternal knowledge through digital interventions offers a promising solu
tion.. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile-based 
educational application (E-Stunted) in improving maternal knowledge about 
stunting prevention. 
Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group 
pretest- posttest was conducted in Brebes, Indonesia. A total of 138 mothers of 
children under five were purposively assigned to either an intervention group 
(n=70) that received the E-Stunted application or a control group (n=68) that 
received standard health education. Knowledge scores were measured using a 
validated 20-item questionnaire before and after the 7-day intervention. Statis
tical analysis included paired and independent t-tests, and Cohen’s d to assess 
effect size. 
Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge 
scores from 10.7 ± 2.8 to 16.2 ± 2.1 (p<0.001), while the control group improved 
modestly from 10.5 ± 2.7 to 12.1 ± 2.5 (p<0.001). Between-group differences 
post-intervention were statistically significant (p<0.001), with a large effect size 
(Cohen’s d = 1.58).  
Conclusions: The E-Stunted application significantly improved maternal 
knowledge on stunting prevention and holds potential as a scalable digital 
health education tool in rural settings.