Exploration of Stunting Events as an Effort to Prevent Stunting in Bangkalan Regency

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The result of Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018 showed a decrease in the prevalence of stunting at the national average of 6.4% over a period of 5 years, that is, from 37.2% (2013) to 30.8% (2018). The prevalence of stunting in children under five in Bangkalan was the highest in East Java. Data on the Nutrition Status Monitoring of East Java in 2015 showed that the prevalence of stunting in Bangkalan reached 53.2%; consisting of 27.4% of severely stunted children and 25.8% of stunted children. AIM: This study determined factors that influenced the stunting prevalence in the Bangkalan Regency. METHODS: The method of this study was exploratory qualitative research that determined dominant factors influencing the stunting prevalence in Bangkalan Regency and developed a theme analysis instrument. Data were collected through interviews done with 12 health workers in charge of stunting eradication programs. RESULTS: The results and discussions showed that stunting prevalence in Bangkalan Regency remained high that it requires a thorough study to determine the factors influencing it. Results of this study showed that cultural factors shaped how local community in Bangkalan Regency viewed maternity care and parenting styles. From the FGD analysis, stunting programs such as the 1000 first days of life program have been implemented, yet cross-community collaboration was not yet established. It also requires a synergy among health agencies, education agencies, and villages to include contents about stunting eradication programs in all public activities. CONCLUSION: Suggestions were proposed regarding the need to emphasize the importance of cross-sectoral and cross-program cooperation in controlling and reducing the stunting rate. Midwives as officials of Posyandu (Regular Health Care) need to improve the coordination with the local community and emphasize the promotion of stunting eradication programs.