Empowering Cadres in Establishing Nutrition Posts to Reduce Stunting Incidence in Pulau Kelapa Village, Seribu Islands

Abstract

The Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) constitute one of the major fish-producing regions within DKI Jakarta. Despite possessing substantial economic potential derived from tourism and fisheries, the region continues to face significant public health challenges, particularly the high prevalence of stunting and undernutrition. In 2023, the prevalence of stunting reached 18.6%, while wasting stood at 10.2% (SKI, 2023). These conditions are further exacerbated by limited community knowledge, suboptimal caregiving practices, inadequate hygiene, and a heavy reliance on fish as the primary protein source without sufficient dietary diversification. In response to these challenges, the community engagement team sought to develop an innovative and more effective strategy to address stunting, namely the establishment of a pos gizi (nutrition post) designed to function as a center for more intensive nutrition interventions. The program implementation consisted of five sequential components: administration of a pre-test, delivery of educational materials, simulation of anthropometric recording and measurement, administration of a post-test, and the appointment of nutrition post cadres. All components were executed successfully. The training, attended by 34 cadres, resulted in a substantial improvement in knowledge, as reflected in the increase in average test scores from 58.36 to 80.21. Furthermore, 16 selected participants were formally appointed as positive deviance hearth cadres by representatives of the Pulau Kelapa Village Office and the local Community Health Center (Puskesmas). Conclusion  This Community Service Program (PKM) activity produced tangible outcomes, namely the establishment of two Nutrition Posts (Pos Gizi) as an effort to strengthen community empowerment in the health sector.  It is recommended that refresher activities be conducted at least once a year to ensure that the cadres can continuously recall and reinforce the materials they have learned. In addition, periodic monitoring by the Community Health Center (Puskesmas) is necessary to ensure that field practices are carried out in accordance with established standards.