It Has No Impact but is Useful as a Lesson Learned from the Gammarana Enrekang Stunting Prevention Project during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Indonesia is one of the countries contributing to global stunting. Stunting in Indonesia, South Sulawesi, and Enrekang Regency in 2019 was 30.8%, 35.6%, and 40%, respectively. Prevention efforts through the Gammarana project in 2020. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of Gammarana on preventing stunting, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The evaluation study used a cross-sectional study method twice at the beginning and end of the project. The village sample was 30 intervention groups (focus) and 30 non-focus groups. Total subjects were 1086 in the stunting locus area and 997 in the non- focus stunting area. Statistical Analysis with the Independent Test of Kruskal-Wallis. Results: The prevalence of stunting decrease 1.33% in locus villages compared to non-locus villages. The intervention package in the form of micronutrient supplements, macronutrients, nutritional literacy, washing hands, masks and keeping distance did not significantly reduce stunting (p>0.50). Conclusion: Project Gammarana has not been effective in preventing stunting amid COVID-19. Suggestion: to continue this project, to fight the acceleration of stunting due to the COVID-19 Pandemic