The effect of convergent action on reducing stunting prevalence in under-five children in Banggai District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the amount of changes in prevalence of stunting after one-year convergence intervention. METHODS: This was an evaluation study of national program that implemented in Banggai District beginning 2018. There were ten villages (n=532) that included in the program based on severity of stunting prevalence. Data were analyzed using chi-square and independent t-test using SPSS. RESULT: After a year program, stunting reduced to 38.91% or 2.18% from the baseline (41.09%). The highest reduction was in at 0-5 mo (8.59%) and 6-11 mo (8.46%). There was no difference using height for age z-score in all ages (-1.64±1.19 to -1.59±1.38, p=0.506). However, the reduction was significant at 0-11 months (-1.20±1.23 to 0.78±1.58, p=0.020) but no in other age categories (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The convergence action for one year intervention reduced significantly stunting in 0-11 months of children but not in other age categories of under five children.