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Unesa.ac.id, SURABAYA-Stunting cases or the problem of failure to thrive in children is a serious problem in Indonesia. Although the stunting prevalence rate has decreased from 30.8 percent in 2018 to 24.4 percent in 2021. However, this figure is still quite serious and is above the WHO standard of 20 percent.
According to the 2021 Indonesian Toddler Nutritional Status (SGBI) survey data, the prevalence of stunting is still at 24.4 percent or more than 5 million children under five are stunted from around 23 million children in Indonesia. "This is a serious problem which of course needs to be a priority for all parties, the central government to the regions and stakeholders, including universities," said Head of the Nutrition Study Program, State University of Surabaya (UNESA), Dra. Veni Indrawati, M.Kes.,
Veni Indrawati added that the main cause of stunting is chronic malnutrition in the first thousand days of a child's life, from the fetus until the child is about 24 months old (golden age). Then the problem of maternal health and poor parenting. The mother's minimal knowledge of the importance of nutritional intake from infancy is also an important factor.
In addition, environmental factors in the form of poor sanitation can lead to diarrhea and intestinal worm infections or intestinal worms which have an impact on the nutritional condition of the child. "Other factors are also related to health services, lack of nutritional intake, clean water, missed immunizations, and not meeting the needs of exclusive breastfeeding for children," said Veni.
According to Veni, stunting cases, if not handled quickly and appropriately, will become a protracted chain of problems and even risk reducing the quality of Indonesia's human resources (HR) in the future.
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Collaboration; Prevention and Treatment
Stunting can be prevented starting from routine pregnancy checkups, providing adequate nutrition for mother and baby, early detection of disease, giving birth in adequate health facilities, Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD) and exclusive breastfeeding, supplementary feeding or complementary feeding (MPASI). , providing complete immunizations, as well as monitoring the growth of toddlers.
In overcoming these problems, once again the government cannot go it alone. All related parties or stakeholders must take part. Center to area all shoulder to shoulder. Some take action and some take preventative measures. Socialization and education must massively involve all elements down to villages and remote areas.
"I believe that serious, balanced and comprehensive management and prevention of all these elements can be successful in the next few years. This is a shared task, of course, including universities," said the woman born in Jombang.
Veni appreciated the government's steps since 2018 to seriously reduce the stunting prevalence rate, resulting in a decline of around 6.4 percent. The problem is that this figure is still above world standards, of course this must be homework for all parties so that stunting can actually reach 14 percent in 2024 according to President Joko Widodo's target.
"UNESA also intervened to reduce stunting rates in the regions. There are a number of programs that involve lecturers and students. Recently, for example, KKN-T students have a special program to deal with stunting in a number of districts in East Java. In the future, we will increase this effort again. The Nutrition Program also collaborates with the local government and local villages which will later be realized through various follow-up programs," he said.
Family Roles and Resilience
According to Yohana Wuri Satwika, S.Psi., M.Psi., a UNESA Psychology Lecturer, the problem of stunting, according to Yohana Wuri Satwika, S.Psi., M.Psi., UNESA Psychology Lecturer, can be solved in addition to maternal and child nutrition interventions, improving access to clean water and so on. Also, it is necessary to strengthen the resilience of the family, including for newly married young mothers.
Family resilience is very important because it greatly affects the resilience of each individual which includes fathers, mothers, and children who make up the 'atmosphere' of family life. "The interaction within each individual in the family greatly influences, for example, especially for the resilience of the individual child, which is strongly influenced by the resilience of the family or the resilience of both parents," he explained.
Fragile families will greatly affect the development of children in their period of development and growth. "In terms of physical growth, when something doesn't fit in the family, the child's physical condition can be disturbed, for example in terms of immune system which makes the child sick more often, or he grows not according to his age in terms of less weight or stunting. It depends on the parents and the condition of the family,” said Yohana.
Furthermore, fragile family resilience can affect children who are personality-wise. Children have the potential to be introverted, have difficulty in interacting socially with new environments, or even become vulnerable individuals as a result of a fragile family.
Message to 'Young' Candidates and Parents
For young mothers, it is necessary to pay attention to and condition a clean environment, good nutrition and a warm and peaceful family atmosphere for the continued growth and development of children. Then, for those who want to get married. Don't just get married. Mature and mature not only physically, but also emotionally and religiously.
“Strong families start with mature women and men in all aspects, including the financial aspect. Because if it is not planned and prepared carefully, the expected paradise can fall apart. If it's just us, it might not be a problem, but love the children," said the woman from Bandung.
Before deciding to get married, he continued, both parties must be ready so that they can become a husband and wife couple who can strengthen, understand, and complement each other with their respective strengths and weaknesses. “Stunting cases, families, young mothers or prospective parents need to be given strong education. Don't let them get married and even become a family that has the potential to give birth to new stunting," he said.
On the commemoration of National Family Day (harganas), June 29, 2022 with the theme "Let's Prevent Stunting so Families Are Stunting Free" this should be a momentum to improve the quality of family resilience as one of the main foundations in realizing national resilience. Family resilience in the perspective of national resilience refers to an ability to manage resources and problems that exist in a family to meet the needs of all family members.
He invites all parties to really be aware of every decision in the family which of course can have an impact on the growth and development of the nation's generation. In addition, this year's Harganas momentum needs to be a reflection and at the same time strengthen efforts to increase family resilience and combat stunting in Indonesia. [UNESA PR]
Author: Azminatul Alfay Rohmah
Editor: @zam Alasiah*
Photo: Image by Pexels by Pixabay
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