Stunting is a serious health problem in Indonesia. In these recent years, Indonesia ranks the fifth place as one of the very countries possessing high stunting rate for toddlers. In Indonesia, stunting is sometimes known as a dwarf disease. This disease is identified as disturbances on children’s physical and brain growth. Children with stunting generally do not have normal physical appearances and tend to gain chronic nutrition problems. The stunting disease can afflict on the first 1000 days after the birth of babies. This disease, in fact, is affected by many factors, namely social-economy, food supply, infection, maternal nutrition status, contagious diseases, lack of micronutrient, and environment.
Departing from the circumstance, Master of Nursing of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) conducted a community service aiming to alleviate the stunting disease in children. “We conduct the community service in Cokrodiningratan which locates in the heart of the city. Nevertheless, the region still has a huge number of children possessing the stunting disease. Hence, as a part of prevention of the disease, we establish a program called DESA PELITA,” stated Head of the community service, dr. Titih Huriah, M.Kep., Sp. Kom on Monday (25/3).
Titih stated that DESA PELITA is an abbreviation of Desa Peduli Ibu dan Balita (a village caring for mothers and children). The community service consisted of two main members, namely Falasifah Ani Yuniarti, S.Kep, Ns., MAN and Nur Azizah Indriastuti, S.Kep, Ns., M.Kep. The program also involved students of Master of Nursing of UMY, especially students from community nursing specialization program. Titih added, “The implementation of the program is a maternal class program. This class educated all women in Cokrodiningratan about nutrition of pregnancy, breastfeeding (ASI) and complementary food of breastfeeding (MPASI), toddler nutrition, and immunization. The program was held from March to July.”
Titih continued, “Our targets are women from Posyandu Balita dan Lansia (integrated health service posts for babies and the elderly). Therefore, we urge all women who are pregnant or have toddlers to participate in the program. “Hopefully by conducting DESA PELITA, we can help people in Cokrodiningratan to overcome the stunting disease.”
Meanwhile, the Head of Committee of DESA PELITA, Rizaluddin Akbar detailed that the program embroiled all people in Cokrodiningratan, especially people from Community Unit (RW) 09, children from Early Childhood Education School (PAUD), and Family Welfare Movement (PKK) members. “We allocate some door prizes so that people will be enthusiastic. In the same occasion, Magister of Nursing of UMY also hand a weight scale to the Posyandu,” maintained Rizaluddin.
Furthermore, the program also invited Headman of Cokroningratan, Narotama, S.STP, M.Si. He expressed a relief for the program and forcefully supports the program to be held in Cokroningratan. He pitied the children with stunting problems so that people should commence a concrete action to prevent the disease. “I am grateful for DESA PELITA program. In our hamlet, there are few children possessing the stunting disease. We commit to attempting some actions to decline the disease. One of the ways is to conduct a collaboration with UMY,” ended Narotama.
