Field Visit Story: The Family’s Role in Child Nutrition and Growth

Spreading awareness about stunting in Indonesia is essential for improving the nation’s public health and securing its future prosperity. By educating families and communities Indonesia can reduce the prevalence of stunting, promote better health practices, and create a healthier, more productive future generation. As an outcome, I was referred to the 1000 Days Fund Internship by my aunt, Ima Abdulrahim who happens to be on the 1000 Days Fund’s Board of Trustees. I was drawn to this internship because it would allow me to explore my interests in child psychology while gaining work experience. Furthermore, I was curious to learn more about stunting in the rural areas of Indonesia such as Labuan Bajo, Komodo Island and several other villages in East Nusa Tenggara. Throughout the internship, I discovered that currently, the national target on stunting reduction is 14%. Therefore, addressing stunting will require collaboration between the government, communities, and families to ensure that all children have access to the resources they need to thrive to eventually reduce the current rate (2023) 21.5% based on Survei Kesehatan Indonesia (SKI). 

I’ve learned a lot more about stunting in Indonesia, especially in the rural areas, thanks to this internship. Numerous factors, including attitude, behavioural changes, and social consequences, were viewed from diverse angles. It’s unfortunate that individuals in Indonesia find it challenging to fulfil their responsibilities, including supplying resources like medicine, nurses, and doctors in particular. I was shocked to learn that ibuprofen was unavailable on Papagarang Island. Given that it is a common medication included in first aid kits, this is striking. The inability to coerce people into accepting our assistance because of their religious convictions is another difficulty for our team. While some families have put the term “stunting to memory,” I saw that some of them do not react to their child’s needs in a suitable manner. For instance, I went to see this family in Labuan Bajo with the crew. The mother committed the definition of stunting to memory when we asked what it was. Nevertheless, she took this action since she is a health worker’s grandchild. I assisted in installing the smart chart to provide the family direction before our counselling session came to a conclusion. However the child’s height did not meet the standards after we installed the smart chart. This is demonstrated by the smart chart and the KIA book (pink book), which is essential for pregnant women in order to monitor the health of both the mother and the unborn child. 

Hannah and Mama Wilhelmina (Senior Community Health Worker in Nggorang, East Nusa Tenggara) Installed a Smart Chart

Although these are the issues I noticed, the most striking is the misconception about addressing stunting to families is that the mother is typically the only one involved in site visits. This would be the case because the father is typically employed, or the grandparents would be responsible for their care if both parents work. Since the kids spend the most of their time with their grandparents, not all members of the family are aware of the hazards of stunting. Children would have been fed incorrect diets. Snacks, which include processed meals and beverages, are offered in “Warung.” These snacks are high in carbohydrates and low in protein. This is only possible if stunting has not been well understood. Another issue arises when family members are unaware of when the expectant mother should get routine ultrasounds, general examinations, or fill out our pink KIA book. Since we as a team are unable to determine the mother’s delivery or the child’s health without routine inspections and limited data from the pink KIA book, this could become hazardous.  As a result, the woman or kid may have severe illness, underweight, or, in the worst case scenario, giving birth prematurely. Therefore it is highly advised that the father and other family members attend the counselling as well to ensure that they are properly taught about stunting and suggest the nutrients they should intake. 

Adel and I during our visit to see her mother and brother, William

It was pleasant to observe that both of Adel’s parents participated in our counselling when the team paid a visit to her family (the girl in the above photo). They mentioned how the mother works and the father takes care of the five kids. William, who is the fifth child, is still younger than two. According to the father, he brings William and any other children he may have to take to the local clinic three times a week for checkups. This demonstrates that both parents are well aware of stunting and would want the best care possible to ensure both their children’s and their own bright and healthy future. In addition, William’s pink KIA book was completed by the family and contained data that matched the child’s expected weight and height. The crew provided them a smart blanket which consisted of suggestions for healthy dietary options for the child before we wrapped up. In all of the site visits I had, I appreciated how joyful the children were in spite of the issues. Finding it in the kids was crucial in my opinion because, at most, their family is all they had, so it would be devastating if they did not enjoy spending time with them. Additionally, regardless of the weather, humidity, or hygiene of the environment, they constantly offered positive energy and expressed thanks for what they had during our session.  

Distributing Smart Blanket to A Pregnant Woman

Indonesia has the chance to end the cycle of stunting and guarantee that future generations are healthier, stronger, and more resilient by increasing awareness and implementing significant change. In addition to improving children’s physical health, addressing the underlying causes of stunting, malnutrition and inadequate healthcare, will be the important keys for a more secure and succeeding society. Each member of the family has a responsibility to provide healthy conditions for children to grow up in, encourage early health examinations, and ensure adequate nourishment. To end stunting in Indonesia, let’s join together to spread knowledge, increase awareness, and take action for reducing this silent nation issue. Since every child deserves a good start in life, it begins with us. Act today to ensure a healthier tomorrow!