The Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) Guidelines in Stunting Management in Indonesia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Indonesia’s stunting prevention programs have shown limited effectiveness and scalability. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is crucial for preventing and treating pediatric stunting. This study aimed to investigate the roles of primary health centers and IPC in addressing stunting in Indonesia. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar for studies up to November 2023. Two reviewers independently screened and included full-text articles that examined IPC and stunting, focusing on prevalence, policy implications, healthcare roles, community roles, preventive measures, and challenges. Results: The review included 52 articles. IPC was found to be critical in reducing stunting prevalence. Training improved the knowledge of health cadres, aiding in the early detection and prevention of stunting. The studies emphasized IPC’s positive impact on stunting reduction across various regions. Policymakers are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive strategy involving collaboration, financial support, and effective program implementation. Conclusions: This study highlights IPC as essential in reducing stunting in Indonesia. Integrating stunting management into primary healthcare is recommended, with a call for developing guidelines to standardize and optimize the approach to this public health issue.