Strengthening Nutrition Interventions through Academic Collaboration in Pasaman Barat, Indonesia

Gusnedi Gusnedi; Nur Ahmad Habibi; Renidayati Renidayati; Irmawartini Irmawartini; Heppi Sasmita; Delima Delima; Mardiani Bebasari; Renita Afriza; Dwi Octa Amalia; Hamdani Hamdani; Citra Tristi  Utami

doi:10.56303/jhnresearch.v5i1.1087

Authors

Gusnedi Gusnedi Nutrition Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Nur Ahmad Habibi Nutrition Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Renidayati Renidayati Nursing Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Irmawartini Irmawartini Environmental Health Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Heppi Sasmita Nursing Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Delima Delima Nursing Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Mardiani Bebasari Midwifery Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Renita Afriza Nutrition Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Dwi Octa Amalia Directorate of Family Health. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia
Hamdani Hamdani Nursing Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia
Citra Tristi Utami Nutrition Department, Health Ministry Polytechnic of Padang, Indonesia

Keywords:

Stunting, academic collaboration, community, nutrition

Abstract

This study aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking for stunting reduction in Pasaman Barat District, Indonesia, through a collaborative model linking academic institutions and with local government. A situation analysis was conducted to assess program coverage, implementation challenges, and multisectoral support related to stunting prevention. Quantitative data from 20 primary health centers showed that most specific nutrition intervention indicators below the national minimum target of 80%. A pilot strengthening program was then implemented, focusing on improving cadre capacity, service supervision, community engagement, and data management. Post-intervention results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in growth monitoring (54.49%±27.19 to 97.43%±5.26; p = 0.00), exclusive breastfeeding (19.04%±28.47 to 59.28%±37.38; p = 0.00), and iron–folic acid supplementation among pregnant women (22.28%±16.96 to 85.28%±24.62; p = 0.00). Other indicators, including complementary feeding practices, antenatal care visits, and adolescent anemia screening, showed numerical but non-significant changes. Qualitative findings further revealed challenges related to limited cadre skills, inadequate facilities, insufficient intersectoral coordination, low community participation, and inconsistent data quality. The developed collaboration model facilitated closer integration of research evidence into local decision-making and supported the formulation of strategic policy recommendations. Overall, the study highlights that institutionalized academic–government partnerships, combined with continuous monitoring and strengthened health system capacity, are essential to accelerate meaningful and sustained reductions in stunting in Pasaman Barat.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Agritubella SM, Uthia R, Rosy A. An Overview of Wasting and Stunting based on Nutritional Status Assessment for Toddlers. J Infant Child Healthc. 2023;2(1):28–32.

Kementerian Kesehatan. Suvei Kesehatan Indonesia (SKI). Laporan Tematik SKI 2023. 2023. p. 965.

WHO. Joint child malnutrition estimates [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/joint-child-malnutrition-estimates-unicef-who-wb

Soliman A, De Sanctis V, Alaaraj N, Ahmed S, Alyafei F, Hamed N, et al. Early and long-term consequences of nutritional stunting: From childhood to adulthood. Acta Biomed. 2021;92(1):1–12.

Akbar RR, Kartika W, Khairunnisa M. The Effect of Stunting on Child Growth and Development. Sci J. 2023;2(4):153–60.

Pudjirahaju A, Soelistyorini D, Mustafa A, Kristianto Y. Transforming Childhood: Nutrition Interventions in the First 1000 Days of Life to Prevent Stunting and Enhance IQ Children in Trenggalek. Amerta Nutr. 2025;9(1):101–8.

Perpres. Rencana Jangka Menengah Nasional Tahun 2025-2029 [Internet]. No 12 Indonesia: Peraturan Presiden Republik Indonesia; 2025 p. 1–7. Available from: https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/314638/perpres-no-12-tahun-2025

Efendy I, Amirah A, Nyorong M, Tanjung SM, Pratama SM. Strengthening the Role of Higher Education in Reducing Stunting Prevention in North Sumatra. J Univers Community Empower Provis. 2023;3(2):42–50.

Goi M, Salmah AU, Jafar N, Ilham AA, Stang S, Safar M, et al. Cross- Sector Collaboration in Addressing Stunting in Indonesia. Pharmacogn Journal,. 2025;16(6):1424–30.

Sofyan MM, Fauziyah G, ... Collaborative Governance on Handling Stunting in West Java Province of Indonesia. Iapa Proc … [Internet]. 2024;674–89. Available from: https://www.journal.iapa.or.id/proceedings/article/view/1148%0Ahttps://www.journal.iapa.or.id/proceedings/article/download/1148/536

Khuzaimah A, Kurniati U, Haq MZ, Yunita. Collaborative governance in stunting interventions at the local level. Tamalanrea J Gov Dev. 2024;1(3):39–51.

Sentika R, Setiawan T, Kusnadi, Rattu DJ, Yunita I, Masita BM, et al. The Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) Guidelines in Stunting Management in Indonesia: A Systematic Review. Healthc. 2024;12(22):1–16.

Namukose S, Maina GW, Kiwanuka SN, Makumbi FE. Effect of nutrition assessment, counselling and support integration on mother-infant nutritional status, practices and health in Tororo and Butaleja districts, Uganda: A comparative non-equivalent quasi-experimental study. J Heal Popul Nutr. 2024;43(1):1–12.

Nguyen PH, Sununtnasuk C, Christopher A, Ash D, Ireen S, Kabir R, et al. Strengthening Nutrition Interventions during Antenatal Care Improved Maternal Dietary Diversity and Child Feeding Practices in Urban Bangladesh: Results of a Quasi-Experimental Evaluation Study. J Nutr [Internet]. 2023;153(10):3068–82. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623724292

Nguyen PH, Kachwaha S, Tran LM, Avula R, Young MF, Ghosh S, et al. Strengthening Nutrition Interventions in Antenatal Care Services Affects Dietary Intake, Micronutrient Intake, Gestational Weight Gain, and Breastfeeding in Uttar Pradesh, India: Results of a Cluster-Randomized Program Evaluation. J Nutr [Internet]. 2021;151(8):2282–95. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622002875

Kang Y, Provido SM, Kim H, Kim HS, Ji H, Jeon J. Evaluation planning for the timed and targeted care for families program in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Front Public Heal. 2025;13(July):1–11.

Athavale P, Hoeft K, Dalal RM, Bondre AP, Mukherjee P, Sokal-Gutierrez K. A qualitative assessment of barriers and facilitators to implementing recommended infant nutrition practices in Mumbai, India. J Heal Popul Nutr. 2020;39(1):1–12.

Kok MC, Dieleman M, Taegtmeyer M, Broerse JEW, Kane SS, Ormel H, et al. Which intervention design factors influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review. Health Policy Plan. 2015 Nov;30(9):1207–27.

Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajeebhoy N, Horton S, Lutter CK, Martines JC, et al. Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? Lancet [Internet]. 2016 Jan 30;387(10017):491–504. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01044-2

Kapti RE, Arief YS, Azizah N. Mother’s knowledge as a dominant factor for the success of exclusivebreastfeeding in IndonesiaRinik Eko Kapti1,3Yuni Sufyanti A. Healthc Low-resource Settings. 2023;11(s1):11209.

Lokossou YUA, Tambe AB, Azandjèmè C, Mbhenyane X. Socio-cultural beliefs influence feeding practices of mothers and their children in Grand Popo, Benin. J Health Popul Nutr. 2021 Jul;40(1):33.

Laksono AD, Rukmini R, Wulandari RD. Regional disparities in antenatal care utilization in Indonesia. PLoS One [Internet]. 2020;15(2):1–13. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224006

Escher NA, Andrade GC, Ghosh-Jerath S, Millett C, Seferidi P. The effect of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions on the double burden of malnutrition in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Heal [Internet]. 2024 Mar 1;12(3):e419–32. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00562-4

Sufri S, Iskandar I, Nurhasanah N, Bakri S, Jannah M, Rajuddin R, et al. Implementation outcomes of convergence action policy to accelerate stunting reduction in Pidie district, Aceh province, Indonesia: a qualitative study. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2024 Nov 1;14(11):e087432. Available from: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e087432.abstract

Silitonga HTH, Salim LA, Nurmala I, Wartiningsih M. Compliance of Iron Supplementation and Determinants among Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review. Iran J Public Health. 2023 Jan;52(1):37–48.