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Designing Gender-Sensitive Serious Games for Nutrition: Communication Innovations for Mothers, Children, and Brides-To-Be in Villages

Kurniasari ND, Ismail I, Dellia P, Ni’mah AT, Hariastuti ID · 17 Nov 2025

Abstract

Stunting continues to be a significant public health issue in Indonesia, with a countrywide frequency of 21.6% reported in 2022. Rural regions like Madura encounter exacerbated hazards stemming from cultural dietary prohibitions, gendered domestic dynamics, and restricted access to reliable health information. Mothers, young brides, and children are crucial to nutritional practices but frequently hindered by patriarchal standards and digital disparities. This study examines the efficacy of gender-sensitive serious games as novel communication instruments for nutrition education and stunting prevention in rural areas.The research used a qualitative exploratory design, incorporating over thirty respondents, including mothers of children under five, brides-to-be, cadres, midwives, community leaders, and social media influencers from various villages in Bangkalan, Madura. The data were evaluated topically, emphasizing gender roles, perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI), and prospects for digital health innovation. Research indicates that although mothers pursue advice and youth exhibit eagerness for digital tools, implementation necessitates endorsement from credible sources and cultural adjustment. Serious games, augmented with gamification and nudging techniques, were recognized as especially beneficial in promoting intergenerational learning, enhancing mother–child co-play, and empowering brides-to-be in pre-parenting scenarios.The research presents a framework that amalgamates feminist communication theory, health-oriented serious games, and technological acceptance paradigms. Essential design components are localized narratives, visual gamification indicators, offline functionality, and the incorporation of religious and cultural principles. Instead than supplanting conventional networks, serious games ought to augment the roles of cadres, midwives, and religious leaders within a hybrid communication framework.The results indicate that gender-sensitive serious games can connect traditional trust-based communication with digital innovation, providing a culturally relevant approach to expedite stunting reduction and promote equitable public health outcomes in rural Indonesia.