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Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm infants face heightened health risks, requiring specialized care. Social support, maternal motivation, and knowledge are vital for their care, yet research on these factors in West Sumatra, Indonesia, is limited. This study examines how social support and maternal motivation enhance maternal knowledge in caring for LBW and preterm infants.

Methods: This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2024 in Padang City and Solok Regency, West Sumatra. A total of 125 mothers with LBW or preterm infants born between January and December 2023 were selected using multistage random sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews with validated questionnaires; and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 20-34 years (72.0 %) and had a median of 2 pregnancies and 1 delivery. Preterm births (62.4 %) and cesarean deliveries (60.8 %) were most common. Social support significantly influenced maternal motivation (β = 0.709, p< 0.001) and knowledge (β = 0.936, p < 0.001), emphasizing its critical role in care giving practices. Conversely, maternal motivation did not directly affect maternal knowledge (P = 0.519). These findings highlight the importance of social support in improving maternal preparedness and effectiveness in providing essential healthcare services.

Conclusion: Social support plays a vital role in enhancing maternal motivation knowledge in caring for preterm and LBW babies. Interventions should focus on strengthening family and community support systems to improve maternal caregiving practices and infant health outcomes.

Keywords: Health care, Low birth weight, Maternal knowledge, Preterm, Motivation, Social support, Indonesia

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