THE EMPOWERMENT OF CADRES AND MEDICASTERS IN THE EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF STUNTING

Stunting is associated with the increased risk of morbidity and mortality, reduced physical ability, impaired development, and function of children’s motoric and mentality. The Indonesian government has initiated a program to prevent stunting in an integrated services post, but it did not involve all aspects of the community. Cadres and medicasterss are important parts of the community because they are very close to mothers and the community. This study aimed to improve knowledge and practices of 31 cadres and medicasters in early detection and prevention of stunting and implement their knowledge to the community through lecture, discussion, practice, and film screening methods. There was a significant difference in the knowledge level of cadres and medicasters between pre and post training (P = 0.0005) in which knowledge improvement was at 30.68%. In the post training, cadres and medicasters did a Follow-Up Plan (FUP) in the form of stunting outreach and education, particularly to the expectants and mothers, that 124 people got exposed to stunting. To monitor FUP, 3 Whatsapp groups for each village were created as a communication and discussion forum between fellow participants, primary healthcare centers and researchers. The results showed almost all trainees informed the FUP through Whatsapp group, in the form of campaign and education to other cadres and mothers during activities in the integrated services post, Islamic stufy forum, village activities, sports activities, as well as visit to each family and neighbour, etc. Empowering cadres and medicasters through education on early detection and prevention of stunting could fulfill the expectations and was quite effective to encourage cadres and medicasters in the community.