Improving Specific Nutrition: The Role of Social and Religious Factors in Rural Areas of South Kalimantan Province in Indonesia

Specific nutritional interventions aim to accelerate stunting reduction in Indonesia. However, this intervention is not optimal, especially in rural areas with different social and cultural structures. Objective: This study aimed to identify how social and cultural structures affect specific nutrition practices in children aged 6-23 months in rural South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study evaluated respondents on nutrition provision. Data were collected from March to May 2024 from 330 mothers with children aged 6-23 months in Hulu Sungai Utara district, South Kalimantan. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression assessed the relationship between transcultural nursing dimensions and specific nutrition provision. Results: Five sub-variables showed a significant relationship with specific nutrition provision. Technological, religious, philosophical, social, cultural, and economic factors (p-value < 0.05). Religious and philosophical factors (OR = 7.73; 95% CI: 3.082-19.608) significantly increased the likelihood of providing specific nutrition compared to social factors (OR = 3.127; 95% CI: 1.930–5.068). Positive religious and philosophical factors had a more significant impact than social factors in influencing nutrition-related practices. Conclusion: Incorporating social and cultural structure into nutrition and health interventions is essential, especially in rural communities where cultural and religious beliefs significantly influence dietary practices. These results offer a basis for culturally sensitive policies to address nutritional issues in rural multicultural settings globally.