Locally Produced Soy Milk for Maternal Nutrition in Rural Grobogan, Indonesia:  A Quasi-Experimental Study

Sri Untari; Rosdiana Syakur; Rahmawati Rahmawati; Sutiyono Sutiyono

Sri Untari Departemen of Midwifery, An Nuur University, Purwodadi, Central Java, Postal Code 58112, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4461-308X
Rosdiana Syakur Departemen of Midwifery, An Nuur University, Purwodadi, Central Java, Postal Code 58112, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8610-0042
Rahmawati Rahmawati Department of Nursing, An Nuur University, Purwodadi, Central Java, Postal Code 58112, Indonesia
Sutiyono Sutiyono Department of Nursing, An Nuur University, Purwodadi, Central Java, Postal Code 58112, Indonesia

Keywords: Chronic energy deficiency, Local food intervention, Maternal nutrition, Pregnancy, Soy milk

Abstract

Background: Maternal undernutrition remains an important public health issue in rural Indonesia, with limited
access to commercial maternal milk contributing to chronic energy deficiency during pregnancy. Locally
available food-based interventions may offer an alternative approach to supporting nutrition. This study aimed
to evaluate changes in maternal nutritional status following four weeks of locally produced soy milk consumption
compared with commercial maternal milk.

Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test parallel-group design was conducted among 66 pregnant
women in Grobogan District, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were assigned to an intervention group
receiving 200 ml of locally produced soy milk daily or a control group receiving an equal volume of commercial
maternal milk for four weeks (33 participants per group). Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index
(BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).

Results: Both groups showed statistically significant within-group increases in BMI and MUAC after four weeks
(p < 0.001). In the intervention group, mean BMI increased from 20.03 to 20.84 kg/m2 and mean MUAC increased from 21.28 to 21.99 cm. In the control group, mean BMI increased from 20.81 to 21.45 kg/m2, and mean MUAC increased from 22.08 to 22.84 cm. No statistically significant between-group differences in changes werereported.

Conclusion: Overall, the study demonstrates that locally produced soy milk provides improvements in maternal
nutritional status comparable to those achieved with commercial maternal milk, while qualitative observations
further highlight the importance of adherence, family support, and community health worker involvement in
supporting the effectiveness of the intervention.