Strengthening the Role of Cadres in Improving the Nutritional Status of Toddlers Through the Utilization of Locally Made Supplementary Foods

Abstract

Background: Stunting in toddlers is a global health problem, including in Indonesia, where the prevalence remains nearly 20%. North Aceh Regency is one of the areas in Aceh with a relatively high stunting rate. Health workers play a vital role in efforts to reduce stunting rates, particularly by educating the community and facilitating the provision of supplementary feeding, especially using locally sourced ingredients, to improve the nutritional status of toddlers. Purpose: To increase knowledge regarding the presentation of local supplementary food for toddlers by health cadres in the working area of the Pirak Timu Community Health Center, North Aceh Regency. Methods: The activity was implemented using lecture and direct simulation methods with 10 health cadres in the Pirak Timu Community Health Center, North Aceh Regency, as respondents. The instruments used were observation sheets and a cadre knowledge questionnaire. Results: After the strengthening activities for cadres were carried out, there was a significant increase in knowledge regarding the provision of locally sourced supplementary food, which was reflected in the increase in the average value from 50 to 70 with a standard deviation (SD) value from 11.36 to 6.32. Conclusion: This activity has a positive impact in the form of increasing the knowledge of health cadres after being given activities related to providing local-based supplementary food to improve the nutritional status of toddlers.