Increasing community engagement

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 99 views

The Effectiveness of the Healthy Kitchen Program to Overcome Stunting (Dashat) in Reduction of Stunting in Syahmad Village, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency

Introduction

Stunting, a condition where children experience growth and development delays due to inadequate nutrition, is a significant public health concern in Indonesia. The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) has launched the Healthy Kitchen Program for Stunting (Dashat) to address this issue. This program focuses on providing education and practice of cooking nutritious food to children who experience stunting, with the goal of reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions. In this article, we will discuss the effectiveness of the Dashat program in reducing stunting in Syahmad Village, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency.

Background

Stunting is a complex issue that affects millions of children worldwide, including Indonesia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stunting is a result of inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare. In Indonesia, stunting is a significant public health concern, with an estimated 37% of children under the age of five experiencing stunting. The Dashat program was launched by BKKBN to address this issue, with the goal of reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive method with a qualitative approach to analyze the effectiveness of the Dashat program in reducing stunting in Syahmad Village. The study was conducted through literature studies, observations, interviews, and documentation. The researchers referred to Sutrisno's theory (2007), which includes aspects of program understanding, target, timeliness, achievement of goals, and concrete changes.

Program Understanding

The understanding of the Dashat program was found to be quite effective, with clear knowledge from key informants and main informants about the program. The program was well-received by the community, with many parents and caregivers expressing their appreciation for the education and practice of cooking nutritious food provided by the program.

Target

The target of the Dashat program was found to be accurate, with the focus on children who experience stunting in Syahmad Village. The program was designed to provide education and practice of cooking nutritious food to these children, with the goal of reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions.

Timeliness

The timeliness of the implementation of the program was found to be effective, with the implementation lasting for three consecutive months or one hundred days. This shows that the program was implemented with discipline and in accordance with the specified schedule.

Objectives Achievement

The achievement of program objectives was found to be significant, with a decrease in stunting numbers in the region. Before the program intervention, there were about five stunting cases, while after the program was implemented, the number declined to three cases.

Real Changes in the Community

The real changes produced by the Dashat program were found to be significant. The program not only increased parents' attention to the nutritional conditions of their children but also helped them become more proficient in preparing healthy and nutritious food. This increased awareness has the potential to create a better diet for children in Syahmad Village, which directly contributes to improving their nutritional status.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis above, it can be concluded that the Healthy Kitchen Program Overcoming Stunting (Dashat) has shown effectiveness in reducing stunting numbers in Syahmad Village, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency. This success is reflected in a good understanding of the program, the accuracy of the target and time, the achievement of a decrease in stunting rates, and positive changes in family diet. With a similar program, it is hoped that the problem of stunting in this area can be resolved in a sustainable manner.

Recommendations

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

Scaling up the program: The Dashat program should be scaled up to reach more children and families in Syahmad Village and other areas.
Increasing community engagement: Community engagement and participation should be increased to ensure that the program is well-received and sustained.
Providing ongoing support: Ongoing support should be provided to families and caregivers to ensure that they continue to practice healthy cooking habits and provide nutritious food to their children.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement.

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 relied on literature studies, observations, interviews, and documentation, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the program's effectiveness.
Short duration: The study was conducted over a short period, which may not capture the long-term effects of the program.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Evaluating the long-term effects: Evaluating the long-term effects of the Dashat program on stunting rates and nutritional conditions.
Scaling up the program: Scaling up the program to reach more children and families in Syahmad Village and other areas.
Increasing community engagement: Increasing community engagement and participation to ensure that the program is well-received and sustained.
Providing ongoing support: Providing ongoing support to families and caregivers to ensure that they continue to practice healthy cooking habits and provide nutritious food to their children.
Q&A: The Healthy Kitchen Program to Overcome Stunting (Dashat)

Introduction

The Healthy Kitchen Program for Stunting (Dashat) is a initiative launched by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) to address the issue of stunting in Indonesia. This program focuses on providing education and practice of cooking nutritious food to children who experience stunting, with the goal of reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions. In this Q&A article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Dashat program.

Q: What is the main goal of the Dashat program?

A: The main goal of the Dashat program is to reduce stunting rates and improve nutritional conditions in children who experience stunting.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Dashat program?

A: Children who experience stunting are eligible to participate in the Dashat program. The program is designed to provide education and practice of cooking nutritious food to these children.

Q: What kind of education and practice does the Dashat program provide?

A: The Dashat program provides education and practice of cooking nutritious food to children who experience stunting. The program includes hands-on training and demonstrations on how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals.

Q: How long does the Dashat program last?

A: The Dashat program lasts for three consecutive months or one hundred days.

Q: What are the benefits of participating in the Dashat program?

A: The benefits of participating in the Dashat program include:

Reduced stunting rates
Improved nutritional conditions
Increased knowledge and skills in cooking nutritious food
Improved health and well-being of children

Q: How is the effectiveness of the Dashat program evaluated?

A: The effectiveness of the Dashat program is evaluated through regular monitoring and evaluation. The program is assessed based on the reduction in stunting rates, improvement in nutritional conditions, and increase in knowledge and skills in cooking nutritious food.

Q: Can the Dashat program be scaled up to reach more children and families?

A: Yes, the Dashat program can be scaled up to reach more children and families. The program has been shown to be effective in reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions, and it has the potential to be replicated in other areas.

Q: What are the challenges faced by the Dashat program?

A: The challenges faced by the Dashat program include:

Limited resources and funding
Limited access to healthy and nutritious food
Limited knowledge and skills in cooking nutritious food among caregivers
Limited community engagement and participation

Q: How can the Dashat program be sustained in the long term?

A: The Dashat program can be sustained in the long term through:

Ongoing support and funding
Regular monitoring and evaluation
Increased community engagement and participation
Improved access to healthy and nutritious food

Q: What is the role of caregivers in the Dashat program?

A: Caregivers play a crucial role in the Dashat program. They are responsible for providing ongoing support and encouragement to children who participate in the program. They are also responsible for practicing healthy cooking habits and providing nutritious food to their children.

Q: How can individuals and communities get involved in the Dashat program?

A: Individuals and communities can get involved in the Dashat program by:

Participating in the program as caregivers or children
Providing ongoing support and encouragement to children who participate in the program
Practicing healthy cooking habits and providing nutritious food to their children
Advocating for the program and its benefits

Conclusion

The Healthy Kitchen Program for Stunting (Dashat) is a initiative launched by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) to address the issue of stunting in Indonesia. The program has been shown to be effective in reducing stunting rates and improving nutritional conditions, and it has the potential to be replicated in other areas. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable information and insights about the Dashat program.