Capacity Building of Community Health Cadres by Health Survey Enumerators as an Opportunity to Accelerate Stunting Reduction and Control: A Policy Brief

Abstract

Nutritional fulfillment is a fundamental investment in human resource development that directly impacts the quality of national progress. Efforts to meet nutritional needs should not focus solely on adulthood, but must be optimized from the first thousand days of life, spanning the fetal, infant, and under-five periods. Inadequate nutritional intake during this golden period of growth has severe and irreversible consequences on child growth and development. In Indonesia, stunting prevalence was successfully reduced from 30.8% in 2018 to 21.6% in 2022, and accelerated efforts continue to be implemented to achieve the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) target of 14%. Based on the findings of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with integrated health service post (Posyandu) cadres, it was identified that while the cadres had received training on the use of anthropometric equipment, the training was neither standardized nor certified, and periodic equipment calibration had not been conducted. Through mentoring and capacity-building activities, tangible improvements were observed in the cadres' procedural understanding and practical skills in measuring the body weight of children under five. Therefore, strategic planning is required at the local government and health department levels to enhance the precision and accuracy of child anthropometric measurements by strengthening the role of alumni enumerators from the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) or Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) as technical mentors for Posyandu cadres. Furthermore, sustainable funding support is essential to underpin the implementation of stunting reduction policies in affected areas through cross-sectoral synergy and collaboration among local governments, health departments, and the Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health (Poltekkes Kemenkes) Jambi.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This policy brief contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Target 2.2 on ending all forms of malnutrition including stunting in children under five; Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by strengthening the quality of primary healthcare services at Posyandu; and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through multi-stakeholder collaboration among local governments, health departments, and higher health education institutions.