Increase the involvement of nutritional staff in disaster management activities

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 73 views

Analysis of Nutritional Personnel Preparedness in Dealing with Emergency Nutrition in Disasters in Aceh Besar Regency

Introduction

Preparedness is a crucial program designed to enhance the capacity and ability of resources at the regional level in dealing with health problems due to disasters efficiently. This includes all steps from emergency response to sustainable rehabilitation as part of overall health development. In this context, preparedness will prepare people in disaster-prone areas to deal with a better emergency situation. The preparedness of nutritional personnel is particularly important in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters, as it can significantly impact the health and well-being of affected communities.

Background

Aceh Besar Regency is a disaster-prone area in Indonesia, with a high risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. The region has experienced several devastating disasters in the past, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life. In response to these disasters, the government and other stakeholders have implemented various preparedness programs to enhance the capacity of local communities to respond to emergencies. However, the preparedness of nutritional personnel in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters remains a concern.

Methodology

This study aims to analyze the preparedness of nutritional personnel in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters in Aceh Besar Regency. The study used a descriptive quantitative approach, with a sample of 100 nutritional staff from various health facilities in the region. The study collected data on the level of knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nutritional staff as an indicator of their preparedness. In addition, a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews was used to explore problems related to the preparedness of nutritional staff in the area.

Results

The results of the study showed that 54.90% of nutritional staff in Aceh Besar District had good knowledge about nutrition. A positive attitude towards preparedness was also found in 74.51% of them. However, only 25.49% have adequate skills in the context of emergency nutrition. More surprisingly, only 37.25% of nutritional staff were declared ready, while the other 62.74% were still lacking in terms of preparedness.

Discussion

The results of the study indicate that nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency still need to increase their preparedness in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters. The study found that lack of involvement in disaster management activities, poor coordination, and lack of guidelines for emergency nutrition were major problems faced by nutritional staff. Those who served in the Health Office were the only one who gained access to the information, while others were never involved in the socialization or training of emergency nutrition. Furthermore, there has never been a disaster simulation held to test their abilities in an emergency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the preparedness of nutritional personnel in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters in Aceh Besar Regency is still a concern. The study highlights the need for support and opportunities to improve the skills and knowledge of nutritional staff in providing emergency nutrition services. Related agencies must provide stronger support, including involving nutritional staff in disaster management activities so that they can play an active role in an emergency situation.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase the involvement of nutritional staff in disaster management activities: Nutritional staff should be involved in disaster management activities, including socialization and training of emergency nutrition.
Provide guidelines for emergency nutrition: Guidelines for emergency nutrition should be developed and disseminated to all nutritional staff in the region.
Conduct disaster simulation: Disaster simulation should be conducted to test the abilities of nutritional staff in an emergency situation.
Provide opportunities for training and capacity building: Opportunities for training and capacity building should be provided to nutritional staff to enhance their skills and knowledge in providing emergency nutrition services.

Implications

The implications of this study are significant, as it highlights the need for improved preparedness of nutritional personnel in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters. The study suggests that the response to emergency nutrition in Aceh Besar Regency can be done more effectively by increasing the preparedness of nutritional personnel. This will not only help in better disaster management, but also supports more sustainable health development in the region. Good preparedness will produce more responsive health services, especially for people affected by disasters.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study had a small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited data collection: The study only collected data on the level of knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nutritional staff, which may not be comprehensive.
Qualitative approach: The study used a qualitative approach, which may be subjective and biased.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Developing guidelines for emergency nutrition: Guidelines for emergency nutrition should be developed and disseminated to all nutritional staff in the region.
Conducting disaster simulation: Disaster simulation should be conducted to test the abilities of nutritional staff in an emergency situation.
Providing opportunities for training and capacity building: Opportunities for training and capacity building should be provided to nutritional staff to enhance their skills and knowledge in providing emergency nutrition services.

Conclusion

Q: What is the importance of preparedness in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters?

A: Preparedness is crucial in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters as it can significantly impact the health and well-being of affected communities. It enables nutritional personnel to respond effectively to emergencies, providing essential nutrition services to those in need.

Q: What are the challenges faced by nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters?

A: The study found that lack of involvement in disaster management activities, poor coordination, and lack of guidelines for emergency nutrition were major challenges faced by nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency.

Q: How can nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency improve their preparedness in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters?

A: Nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency can improve their preparedness by increasing their involvement in disaster management activities, receiving training and capacity building, and having access to guidelines for emergency nutrition.

Q: What role can related agencies play in supporting the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency?

A: Related agencies can play a crucial role in supporting the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency by providing stronger support, including involving nutritional staff in disaster management activities, providing opportunities for training and capacity building, and developing guidelines for emergency nutrition.

Q: What are the implications of this study for disaster management in Aceh Besar Regency?

A: The study highlights the need for improved preparedness of nutritional personnel in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters. This will not only help in better disaster management, but also supports more sustainable health development in the region.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a small sample size, limited data collection, and a qualitative approach.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should focus on developing guidelines for emergency nutrition, conducting disaster simulation, and providing opportunities for training and capacity building for nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency.

Q: How can the findings of this study be applied in practice?

A: The findings of this study can be applied in practice by increasing the involvement of nutritional personnel in disaster management activities, providing training and capacity building, and having access to guidelines for emergency nutrition.

Q: What are the benefits of improving the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency?

A: Improving the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency will lead to better disaster management, more sustainable health development, and more responsive health services, especially for people affected by disasters.

Q: How can the community support the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency?

A: The community can support the preparedness of nutritional personnel in Aceh Besar Regency by providing resources and opportunities for training and capacity building, and by advocating for the importance of preparedness in dealing with emergency nutrition in disasters.

Q: What are the next steps for implementing the recommendations of this study?

A: The next steps for implementing the recommendations of this study include increasing the involvement of nutritional personnel in disaster management activities, providing training and capacity building, and developing guidelines for emergency nutrition.