Peran kader dalam skrining balita sebagai upaya akselerasi penurunan stunting di Desa Karanganyar Kabupaten Pekalongan - Rahma, Sarah Aulia; Priharwanti, Ardiana; Irawan, Teguh; Yuniarti, Yuniarti (Indonesian Public Health-Observer Information Forum (IPHORR) Kerja sama dengan: Unit Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kep Akademi Keperawatan Baitul Hikmah, 2025)
Background: Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that has long-term impacts on child growth and development and the future quality of human resources. Karanganyar Village in Pekalongan Regency is recorded as one of the areas with the highest prevalence of stunting, thus requiring the active role of Posyandu cadres in toddler screening activities to detect and address stunting early. Purpose: To identify the role of Posyandu cadres in toddler stunting screening activities as part of efforts to accelerate stunting reduction. Method: This study used a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques including in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation. Informants consisted of 5 active cadres as primary informants, 2 health workers as supporting informants, and 10 mothers of toddlers as triangulation informants. Sampling techniques used purposive and accidental sampling. Results: Integrated Health Service Post (Posyandu) cadres play a role in basic health services, early detection of nutritional disorders, and recording and reporting toddler growth data. Despite obstacles such as limited measuring instruments, minimal training, and a lack of incentives, cadres continue to demonstrate a high level of commitment to their duties. Conclusion: The role of cadres in toddler stunting screening activities significantly impacts the success of stunting reduction programs. However, this success requires ongoing training, logistical support, and an adequate incentive system. Suggestion: The role of cadres is needed through policies that provide technical, structural, and social support so they can optimally and sustainably carry out their functions in stunting prevention efforts. Keywords: Posyandu cadres; Stunting; Toddler screening Pendahuluan: Stunting merupakan masalah gizi kronis yang berdampak jangka panjang terhadap tumbuh kembang anak dan masa depan kualitas sumber daya manusia. Desa Karanganyar di Kabupaten Pekalongan tercatat sebagai salah satu wilayah dengan prevalensi stunting tertinggi, sehingga diperlukan peran aktif dari kader Posyandu dalam kegiatan skrining balita untuk mendeteksi dan menanggulangi stunting sejak dini. Tujuan: Untuk mengidentifikasi peran kader Posyandu dalam kegiatan skrining balita stunting sebagai bagian dari upaya percepatan penurunan stunting. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara mendalam, observasi partisipatif, dan dokumentasi. Informan terdiri dari 5 kader aktif sebagai informan utama, 2 petugas kesehatan sebagai informan pendukung, dan 10 ibu balita sebagai informan triangulatif. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara purposive dan accidental sampling. Hasil: Kader Posyandu menjalankan peran dalam pelayanan kesehatan dasar, deteksi dini gangguan gizi, serta pencatatan dan pelaporan data pertumbuhan balita. Meskipun terdapat kendala seperti keterbatasan alat ukur, minimnya pelatihan, dan kurangnya insentif, kader tetap menunjukkan komitmen tinggi dalam menjalankan tugasnya. Simpulan: Peran kader dalam kegiatan skrining balita stunting memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap keberhasilan program penurunan stunting. Namun, keberhasilan ini perlu ditunjang oleh pelatihan berkelanjutan, dukungan logistik, dan sistem insentif yang memadai. Saran: Diperlukan penguatan peran kader melalui kebijakan yang mendukung secara teknis, struktural, dan sosial agar mereka dapat menjalankan fungsinya secara optimal dan berkelanjutan dalam upaya pencegahan stunting.