LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES IN INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS TOWARD "WEST BANDUNG ZERO NEW STUNTING" IN WEST BANDUNG REGENCY

Abstract

Indonesia's stunting rate ranks 154th out of 27 countries, with data on stunting prevalence placing Indonesia fifth among Asian countries affected by stunting. Stunting can have negative consequences for children if no further action is taken, leading to significant short-term impacts such as increased morbidity and mortality related to infections, as well as delayed growth and weight gain in children, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Long-term effects of stunting include reduced cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and women's reproductive systems in adulthood. Therefore, the government must take action and develop new strategies for governance, paying close attention to and prioritizing the nutritional intake of the community, especially if the community experiences disruptions in lifestyle or nutritional deficiencies. The prevalence of stunting in West Bandung Regency changes every year. The annual stunting rate in West Bandung Regency from 2013 to 2023 was very high, and from 2022 to 2023, there was a decrease in the stunting rate of 2.2%. Meanwhile, during the weighing of children under five in August 2023, the stunting prevalence rate in West Bandung Regency was 5.16% (down to 2.99% from the BPB in August 2022). However, based on the simultaneous intervention weighing in June 2024, the prevalence rate in West Bandung rose again to 7.35%. Keywords: Strategy, Government, Society, Zero New Stunting.