Kompetensi Komunikasi Penyuluh dan Intensitas Penyuluhan terhadap Kualitas Pelayanan Penyuluh KB dalam Upaya Penurunan Stunting di Kabupaten Padang Lawas Utara

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of communication competence of counselors on the service quality of family planning (FP) counselors, the influence of counseling intensity on the service quality of FP counselors, and the extent to which communication competence and counseling intensity affect the service quality of FP counselors in efforts to reduce stunting in North Padang Lawas Regency. The theory used is the communication competence theory. This research employs a quantitative approach with a correlational method. The study population consists of 3,676 pregnant women and mothers with babies aged 0-24 months. A sample of 361 respondents, who meet the criteria of being pregnant women or mothers with children aged 0-24 months, being at risk of stunting, and having participated in FP counseling activities, was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires both directly and via Google Forms. Data analysis techniques include multiple linear regression analysis, T-test, F-test, and determination coefficient test. The results of this study indicate that the communication competence of counselors and counseling intensity sigificantly influence the service quality of FP counselors in efforts to reduce stunting, with a combined influence of 80.9%, while the remaining influence is due to other factors outside this study. The communication competence of counselors contributes 38.3%, and counseling intensity contributes 42.6% to service quality, indicating that counseling intensity has a greater influence compared to the communication competence of counselors. The linear regression analysis also shows a result of 4. 743 with a positive sign, indicating a direct influence between the independent variables and the dependent variable, suggesting that the belier the communication competence of FP counselors and the intensity of counseling, the better the service quality.