IMPLEMENTATION OF BALANCED NUTRITION EDUCATION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN AN EFFORTS TO PREVENT STUNTING IN BLANG ASAN VILLAGE, PEUSANGAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WORKING AREA, BIREUEN REGENCY

Abstract

This community service activity was carried out in Blang Asan Village, the working area of ​​the Peusangan Health Center , Bireuen Regency , with the aim of improving the knowledge , attitudes , and skills of pregnant women , breastfeeding mothers , and mothers of toddlers in implementing balanced nutrition as an effort to prevent stunting. This activity was motivated by the continued discovery of nutritional problems in the community , such as low knowledge about balanced nutrition , consumption patterns that are not yet diverse , and the continued presence of mothers at risk of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED). The method of implementing the activity included lectures , interactive discussions , demonstrations , and direct practice . This activity was attended by 45 participants consisting of pregnant women , breastfeeding mothers , and mothers of toddlers . Evaluation was carried out through pretests and post-tests to measure the increase in knowledge , as well as measuring the Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) to determine the nutritional status of participants . The results of the activity showed a significant increase in knowledge , where the good knowledge category increased from 22.2% to 66.7%. In addition , as many as 75.6% of participants showed a positive attitude . towards the implementation of balanced nutrition . The results of nutritional status measurements showed that 93.3% of participants were in the normal category , while 6.7% were at risk of KEK. The level of participant participation was also relatively high , with 80.0% of participants actively participating in all series of activities . This activity had a positive impact in increasing public understanding and awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition . Thus , community- based nutrition education carried out in a participatory and applicable manner can be an effective strategy in supporting stunting prevention efforts , especially in rural areas .