Encourage Rapid and Sustainable Changes in Family Health Behavior

Press conference of the SIGAP Family Program in Jakarta. (Adelia/VOI)

JAKARTA - Changes in health behaviors at the family level are often perceived as a long-term process.

In fact, various evidence shows that these changes can take place faster and more sustainably if they are carried out in an integrated manner through the strengthening of primary health services and routine support in daily life.

The SIGAP Family Program is one concrete example. This initiative places the family at the center of healthy living practices, integrating health behaviors such as immunization, hygiene, and nutrition into daily routines. Initial evaluations show a positive impact on a number of key health indicators.

The coverage of the final dose of immunization has increased, for example, protection against pneumonia has increased from 32% to 58%. Child nutrition status has also improved, reflected by the increase in the rate of early breastfeeding initiation and food diversity, where 96% of parents stated that the SIGAP nutrition aid helped them regulate their children's diets more accurately.

Handwashing with soap (CTPS) behavior increased by 6.4%, with father involvement up 13%, indicating a more balanced division of roles.

This program has been expanded to Brebes, Sukabumi, and Banjar Regency, in line with the national agenda for the prevention of preventable diseases. SIGAP strengthens existing services, such as Posyandu, home visits by health workers, PAUD, and digital channels, so that health messages are closer and easier to implement.

In the dissemination forum, the Director of Health Promotion and Community Health, dr. Niken Wastu Palupi, emphasized the importance of strengthening promotional and preventive services.

"At the Ministry of Health, our priority is to the First Pillar, namely Primary Services by carrying out promotional and preventive efforts," he said when met in the Karet Semanggi area, South Jakarta, Thursday, January 15, 2026.

"Through the SIGAP Family, the community not only knows about health, but actually changes their daily behavior. If we succeed in strengthening primary services through the SIGAP Family, we are laying the foundation for Indonesia Emas 2045," he added.

In the expansion area, the coverage of basic child immunization increased by an average of 15%, with Banjar Regency increasing from 37% to 59%. The coverage of polio boosters in Banjar reached around 80%, and the coverage of the final dose of pneumonia in Brebes almost doubled. Parents also understand more about the mild side effects after immunization, supported by immunization reminders through the SIGAP WhatsApp Bot.

Household hygiene facilities have improved, and CTPS compliance at six key moments has increased by 6.4%, with father involvement at 13%. Improvements in child feeding practices are most prominent in the first 1,000 days of life, with early breastfeeding initiation increasing by 4.4% and food diversity by 6.8%.

"SIGAP reflects the strength of partnerships in supporting nutrition in the most important place, namely at home, every day. By combining practical tools, joint learning for parents, and the involvement of health workers in the field," explained Chris Skeet, CEO of The Power of Nutrition.

"This program shows how evidence-based messages and behavioral change communication can help families maintain healthier feeding practices and build long-term resilience." he continued.

SIGAP health messages are also disseminated through television and social media, reaching millions of people with light and easy-to-understand content. Community support, primary health services, and digital platforms prove that behavioral health changes can be achieved and maintained for the future of a healthier Indonesian family.