Effectiveness of Communication-Based Stunting Interventions in Depok City: A Comparative Study of Psychosocial and Environmental Factors and the Role of Community Health Volunteers
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Abstract
community health volunteers, and health-care facilities. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of community-based stunting interventions and identify supporting and hindering factors in Depok City. A mixed-methods approach was conducted in the service areas of Cisalak Pasar and Mampang Primary Health Centers. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from 18 community health volunteers and 11 mothers of children under five, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency distributions and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings showed that 100% of volunteers had received stunting-related training, understood challenges faced by mothers, and coordinated with Primary Health Centers. Routine child development monitoring was reported by 88.9% of volunteers, while 94.4% considered video-based media and two-way communication effective. Among mothers, 90.9% reported that informational media were easy to understand and improved their knowledge. All respondents reported understandable health education, confidence in practicing healthy behaviors, and access to clean water, sanitation, food, and health-care facilities. However, barriers included suboptimal caregiving practices, resistance to nutritional assessment results, household smoking, and inadequate sanitation. Community-based interventions demonstrated good implementation, supported by volunteer capacity, communication, coordination, and family support.
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