Implementation Outcomes of National Convergence Action Policy to Accelerate Stunting Prevention and Reduction at the Local Level in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The study aims to explore the implementation outcome variables of Indonesia’s national policy convergence action in the stunting reduction intervention at district, sub-district, and village levels. The study design was qualitative with an implementation research approach at District Cirebon, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, study documents, and 6 months of participant observation. We recruited 172 respondents. The assessment instrument used was formed on was implementation outcomes variables. Data were analyzed through coding, categorizing and thematic content analysis based on a predetermined theme. Comparative cross district activity-site analysis was applied between sub-districts and villages. The implementation outcome variables for the convergence action policy were performed well at the district level, in line with the central government’s adequate regulation, control, and budget. Meanwhile, the sub-district and village levels only performed aspects of acceptability, appropriateness, and coverage for specific interventions. The acceptability level in the village was only partially running. The barriers at the sub-district and village levels were issues of commitment, staff capacity, and poor coordination. Superficial understanding and capacity weaknesses drove the convergence of the stunting reduction responsibility back into the burden of the health sector at the forefront. Local politics also colored the implementation in the village.

Effectiveness of Stunting Prevention Programs in Indonesia : A Systematic Review

“…And the study conducted by Ginting et al (2023) mentions that the barriers that occur include limited human resources and dual roles, availability and adequacy of anthropometric equipment, lack of coordination in activity planning between program managers and leaders, families' fear of negative stigmatization related to stunting and low community participation levels. This is consistent with the study (Herawati et al, 2022) which suggests that the challenges at the district and village levels involve issues of commitment, staff capacity, and weak coordination.…”

Bibliometric Studies and Public Administration Research Potential on Stunting Problems

“…The fact is that program implementers and the Community see the problem of stunting as if it still sounds foreign. Many people still need to learn about stunting in terms of its definition, causes, impacts, and countermeasures that can be taken (Herawati & Sunjaya, 2022). This is in stark contrast to the conditions where the government has issued many policies and poured out many funds for stunting prevention programs which, of course, should reach and be felt by the Community (Riwayati et al, 2022).…”

“…Stunting is one of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) contained in the 2nd Goal of Sustainable Development, which is "End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030" (Mayfitriana et al, 2022). The goal is to reduce the stunting rate by 40% by 2025 to reduce stunting globally and nationally because the deformation problem is closely related to the quality of human resources in the future (Herawati & Sunjaya, 2022).…”

Overcoming Maternal and Child Health Problems in Rw 16 Citatah Village, Cipatat District, West

“…Stunting will affect 21.6% of the population in 2022, according to the Ministry of Health. This number is less than the annual total (Herawati & Sunjaya 2022) and according to the Ministry of Health's Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), West Java has a 20.2% prevalence of stunting among children under five in 2022 and 2021, or 24.4 percent.…”