Moa – Stunting is a chronic malnutrition issue that has become a major concern for the government. According to the 2022 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia remains high at 21.6%. This is also the case in Klis Village, Moa Island, Southwest Maluku Regency.
Based on observations from KKN PPM students, the issue of stunting in Klis Village arises due to the lack of awareness in the community about the importance of health and nutrition for mothers-to-be and children, poor sanitation, and insufficient knowledge about the first 1,000 days of a child’s life (HPK).
These issues motivated Daffa Yafindalisti, a member of the Pharmacy UGM KKN-PPM team, to provide a program aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of stunting prevention. The program, themed “Centing: Cegah Stunting itu Penting” (Centing: Preventing Stunting is Important), consists of several activities, including nutrition education, awareness about the first 1,000 days of life, and hands-on practices for preparing MP-ASI (complementary food for breastfeeding) from local food sources. The KKN-PPM team also collaborated with the PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment) and Posyandu Cadres of Klis Village to carry out this program.
“To ensure children receive adequate nutrition, complementary feeding must be based on local food sources that are easily accessible. In Klis Village, there are abundant local resources such as Momar fish, which can be a good source of protein for children,” said Daffa.
The Momar fish was processed into “otak-otak” (a type of fish cake) that can serve as MP-ASI for children aged 1-2 years. The purpose of making “otak-otak” is to provide variety in the daily preparation of Momar fish dishes.
The enthusiasm of the cadres was evident from their eagerness to learn about the new dish they had never encountered before. The cadres even took part in practicing the preparation of the Momar fish “otak-otak.”
“Posyandu cadres play a crucial role in addressing stunting issues in Klis Village. The knowledge shared by the KKN students has become a reference for us in providing counseling and guidance to the residents,” said Desy, the Head of PKK Klis Village.
In addition to providing education, the KKN-PPM students in Moa Island also distributed pocket books about balanced nutrition and various MP-ASI menus using local food sources in Klis Village. These pocket books are expected to deepen the understanding of balanced nutrition and make it easier for families to practice preparing MP-ASI independently at home.
This KKN-PPM program supports several SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by educating mothers and children about nutrition through local foods like Momar fish to reduce stunting. The program also contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by focusing on stunting prevention and nutrition awareness during the first 1,000 days of life. Additionally, it aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by optimizing the use of local resources for nutritious food. Through collaboration with PKK and Posyandu Cadres, the program reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), strengthening partnerships to tackle stunting and improve quality of life in Klis Village.
Author: Daffa Yafindalisti (KKN-PPM UGM Moa Island)
