Public Health Interventions to Reduce Stunting in Toddlers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Handling stunting in toddlers is not only the responsibility of the government, but the most important thing is family and community responsibility. Public health interventions involving the family and community are important for stunting prevention because the family environment is one of the factors that determine the provision of adequate conditions for the nutritional status and development of children. AIM: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize various public health interventions that are practice-based evidence derived from programs implemented to reduce stunting in toddlers. METHODS: Initial steps doing this systematic review articles included in this study were retrieved from ProQuest, EBSCOhost, MEDLINE/CINAHL (Academic Search Complete) that were published within 2011–2019 and written in English. Study Quality Assessment was done using keywords and by assessing compatibility of the articles with the study context. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was used to analyze the found articles. RESULTS: After filtering process, there were 11 articles from 859 articles emphasize on using a combination of two or more Public Health Interventions to reduce stunting in toddlers. The most common public health interventions done to reduce stunting in toddlers are health teaching, counseling, collaboration, and community organizing. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we show that public health interventions performed by public health nurses to reduce stunting require the involvement of the community itself, especially the family. Public health interventions can be combined with one or more other public health interventions to increase success in preventing stunting in children under five.

The Description of Functional Disorders in Children with Stunting in Puskesmas Rowosari Semarang

“…Children with stunting frequently have delayed motor skill development, such as crawling and walking, are apathetic, and exhibit less inquisitive behaviour, all of which diminish engagement with caregivers and the environment. 13,20 1. to plan a therapy programme, because a functional status measurement tool can systematically record the problem of functional delays in subjects; 2. to assess the results or progress of the therapy given; We used the modified WeeFIM, which has been widely used in previous research. 4,16,20,21 In a medical rehabilitation programme, measuring the functional status is useful for the following: 16 education related to stunting are required.…”

“…13,20 1. to plan a therapy programme, because a functional status measurement tool can systematically record the problem of functional delays in subjects; 2. to assess the results or progress of the therapy given; We used the modified WeeFIM, which has been widely used in previous research. 4,16,20,21 In a medical rehabilitation programme, measuring the functional status is useful for the following: 16 education related to stunting are required. Regular screening is necessary, especially for children under 5 years of age.…”

Risk of Stunting in Children: Links to Internal and Social Family Interactions in Central Buton District (a Case Study)

“…This study provides strong empirical evidence that family interactions play an important role in determining the risk of stunting in children. Strong and consistent interactions within the family appear to provide a stable foundation for the development of good health and nutrition for children, protecting them from the risk of stunting (Martin et al, 2021;Moestue et al, 2008) programs that pay attention to aspects of family interaction to prevent stunting, which should be considered by policymakers and public health practitioners (Rahmadiyah et al, 2022;Gu et al, 2023).…”

The association of sociodemographic, nutrition, and sanitation on stunting in children under five in rural area of West Java Province in Indonesia

“…In general, efforts to prevent stunting are associated with nutritional aspects as direct factors, and socio-demographic and sanitation as indirect factors of stunting. [9][10][11] Scientific evidence shows that socio-demographics, nutrition, and sanitation are predictors of stunting. 9,12 Sociodemographic problems are related to the low level of the economy which has an impact on the purchasing power of food at the household level.…”

“…In general, efforts to prevent stunting are associated with nutritional aspects as direct factors, and socio-demographic and sanitation as indirect factors of stunting. 9 – 11 Scientific evidence shows that socio-demographics, nutrition, and sanitation are predictors of stunting. 9 , 12 …”