Final Dissemination of 5-Year Malnutrition Study and Intervention

By: Ulfa Ratriana, Health Program Coordinator

On Thursday 1st August 2024, EBPP, in collaboration with Udayana University Medical Faculty, disseminated the 5th and final year’s report of our groundbreaking 5-year malnutrition study, "Developing a Family-Based Nutrition Intervention Model in Ban Village” at Puskesmas (community health centre) Kubu II. This final study, which focused on the retention of the family approach model to combat infant malnutrition was attended by 33 participants, including representatives from the relevant Karangasem government departments, the head of Ban village, and community cadres.

This dissemination was a crucial step in communicating the results of our study to stakeholders, especially government representatives. We provided several recommendations that can be implemented, not only in Ban village but throughout the region in future efforts to reduce malnutrition.

One of the key takeaways from this event is the vital role of all family members, particularly husbands and in-laws, in supporting balanced nutritional intake for pregnant women, children under two years old, and female adolescents. Emotional support from husbands is also crucial in ensuring successful breastfeeding efforts for infants.

Another important insight is the importance of ensuring that female adolescents, who no longer receive free iron supplements after graduating from school, continue to consume iron supplements. Many tend to stop taking these supplements when they must obtain it on their own.