The importance of education about women nutrition for Kader Kesehatan in the effort of stunting reduction in Indonesia

Stunting prevalence in Indonesia, including East Java Province, fell into high category and mandates public health concern. In developing countries, the possibility of stunted child can be reduced if women of reproductive age have good health and nutrition. Community health workers (CHWs), or widely known as Kader Kesehatan in Indonesia, are essential public health workforce who carry out several activities including providing nutrition education to women of reproductive age. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of Kader Kesehatan actively work in an urban village in Surabaya, Indonesia, and provided sufficient education in order to improve the knowledge of Kader Kesehatan in regards to nutrition. This study was conducted through a community development event in an urban village (kelurahan) in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Fifty-two Kader Kesehatan residing and actively work with the community of the urban village were enrolled in this study. Theoretical subjects were delivered using lecture method, while technical subjects were delivered using small-group instruction method. Pre-test and post-test were administered prior and after education, respectively. Prior to the education, most Kader Kesehatan could not answer and perform anthropometric measurement correctly for all subjects related to stunting in children under five and women nutrition. Following the nutrition education, the knowledge of Kader Kesehatan was improved significantly (p<0.05). Despite the experience of working with the community, Kader Kesehatan need continuous education in order to improve their knowledge, especially about nutrition; thus, able to provide adequate education for women and helping the effort of stunting reduction in Indonesia.