Not Just Nutrition, Study Reveals 3 Key Factors To Prevent Stunting In Indonesia

Good sanitation illustration is one of the key factors in stunting prevention in Indonesia (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Talking about stunting prevention, the main factor that must be resolved is not just nutrition problems. According to the latest study, there are three keys to stunting in Indonesia.

Stunting, or the condition when children have a lower height than the age standard due to chronic malnutrition, is not only caused by lack of nutritional intake. This condition is also closely related to an unhealthy environment.

Recent research highlights the importance of adequate sanitation and access to clean water in efforts to prevent stunting in children. This result was obtained from a scientific study of the Indonesian Health Focus (FKI) with the title "Understanding Stunting from Inti".

In a comprehensive study conducted by a community medical research team in FKI, it was found that areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities have higher stunting prevalence than areas with good sanitation infrastructure.

The Executive Director of FKI, Prof. Nila F. Moeloek, explained that the results of the analysis of the stunting risk family data obtained from the BKKBN showed a close relationship between the quality of drinking water and environmental sanitation and the risk of stunting.

According to him, the environment with poor sanitation increases the chances of children stunting up to 1.5 times. This research uses a systematic review and community diagnosis method that is still rarely applied in national health policies.

"We found that nutrition intervention alone is not enough to prevent stunting. A comprehensive approach is needed that also focuses on improving sanitation and access to clean water so that this prevention effort runs optimally," Nila said in her media gathering in Jakarta, Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

He added that unhygienic environments can increase the risk of infections such as diarrhea, which results in poor nutrition absorption and worsening malnutrition.

Bad sanctions make children vulnerable to infection, which ultimately hinders growth and exacerbates the risk of stunting. Therefore, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is essential to prevent children from stunting, "added Nila, who has also served as Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2014-2019 period.

On the same occasion, Dr. Ray Wagiu Basrowi, MKK, FRSPH, together with the research team, namely dr. Levina Chandra Khoe, MPH, and Ir. Wahyu Handayani, said that the FKI study found three key factors that were influential in suppressing stunting rates in a sustainable manner.

These factors are a decrease in the number of anemia through screening and optimizing the consumption of blood added tablets, increasing access to clean water and sanitation, as well as improving the quality of the antenna care (ANC) service during pregnancy, said Dr. Ray, community medicine researcher from FKUI.

Dr. Ray also explained that the systematic review results showed significant correlation between anemia in pregnant women and the risk of stunting, which was 2.3 times higher.

"So, screening of anemia in communities and health facilities, providing iron supplements, and consuming protein and iron-rich foods must be a priority for intervention in pregnant women to ensure the risk of stunting can be reduced early on," he explained.

This study also emphasized the importance of accessing clean water and proper sanitation as part of a comprehensive solution in an effort to overcome stunting.

In addition, optimizing screening and preventing anemia through the provision of blood-added tablets or consuming nutritious food is also a strategic step. With this integrated effort, it is hoped that stunting prevalence can decrease and future generations will grow healthier and more productive.

In Indonesia, stunting is a serious health problem. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that 21.6 percent of children under the age of five are still stunting.

In addition to influencing physical growth, stunting also has a long-term impact on cognitive development, educational achievement, and economic productivity.

"We invite cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen programs to improve sanitation and clean water access, especially in remote areas. Every child has the right access to clean water and sanitation is feasible," Nila added.

This finding is expected to encourage the government, community organizations and the private sector to accelerate programs that support the improvement of sanitation conditions throughout Indonesia.