Anthropometric Kit Development for Stunted Early Detection among Children Under-two Years Old: Providing a Portable Body Length Measurer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: One of the keys to stunting reduction, a condition of lower height or length compared to their age, is the measurement of children in the community. However, the infantometer as the gold standard is not accessible by all community health workers (CHWs). AIM: The aim is to develop a stunted early detection tool (SEDT) for Indonesian children under-two years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted as the first phase of the development process and focused on the experts’ judgments of the prototype. Experts’ judgments were recorded qualitatively. There were five in-depth interviews with anthropometric, health promotion, and media design experts. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory and thematic content analysis were used to analyze the relative advantages, compatibility, complexity, and observability. RESULTS: The prototype of the SEDT consists of two tools, including a length mat to measure children’s length and a circular disc that helps CHWs classify the nutritional status of the children according to length for age length-for-age Z-score. Most experts agreed that the SEDT is a good instrument for the early detection of stunting among children under 24 months. The tool is designed to be portable, child-friendly, compatible, and easy to use. Although its development has the potential to help CHWs fulfill their responsibilities, major changes were needed specifically to improve the tool’s stability and design. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis gives broad information about the SEDT’s potential as a SEDT considering its relative advantages, complexity, compatibility, and observability. Further research is important to validate potential users’ responses in a representative population.