The effect of using educational stunting calendar on knowledge and motivation among prospective brides in KUA Poasia District, Kendari City

Background: Stunting represents a public health issue with long-term impacts on human resource quality. Stunting prevention efforts must begin as early as possible, even before pregnancy occurs. Prospective brides constitute a strategic group requiring education on stunting prevention during the premarital period. Educational calendars represent a potential educational medium designed to enhance knowledge and motivation. Objective: This study aims to analyze the effect of using educational stunting calendars on the knowledge and motivation of prospective brides at the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) of Poasia District, Kendari City. Methods: The research employed a quantitative design with a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest approach. The sample consisted of 40 prospective brides who registered at KUA Poasia District during March-April 2025. The instruments included knowledge questionnaires and Likert motivation scales. Data analysis utilized Paired t-Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: Significant increases occurred in knowledge scores from 56.3 to 83.2 (p = 0.000). Motivation also increased from 31.4 to 43.1 (p = 0.001). Eighty-five percent of respondents stated that the educational calendar was attractive, informative, easy to understand, and beneficial for preparing themselves as parents. The calendar medium demonstrated effectiveness in strengthening awareness and encouraging action in stunting prevention from the premarital period. Conclusion: Educational calendars effectively increase the knowledge and motivation of prospective brides in stunting prevention efforts. This medium deserves development as part of educational interventions in premarital guidance services. Recommendations: Educational calendars should be integrated into national programs for prospective bride guidance such as "Ready to Marry, Ready to Conceive (SINSIH)," and facilitator training should be conducted for optimal utilization