Tantut Susanto, Rizkiyani Istifada, Fahruddin Kurdi, Hanny Rasni, Latifa Aini Susumaningrum, Wenru Wang, Sugiyanta, Tantin Ermawati, Dhimas Rizky Handoko, Vigo Agustilano Salim
The Family Program CARE (P-CARE) demonstrated promising improvements in several child and family health indicators among children with stunting. Although improvements were observed in selected outcomes, not all anthropometric indicators remained statistically significant after adjusted analyses. These findings support the potential role of family-centered, community-based interventions as a comprehensive strategy for addressing stunting in children.
AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Family Program "CARE" (Caring, Assisted, Redesign, Education) in maintaining nutritional status, environmental sanitation, and family function with stunted children, with the primary outcome focused on improving the child's linear growth.
METHODS: This study used a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design with a control group among 56 children aged 12-60 months with stunting status (26 stunted children for intervention and 30 children in the control group). The research implemented the Family Program CARE (P-CARE) intervention for a period of 30 days. Parameters measured included environmental sanitation, family care function, oral health, and nutritional status. Data analysis was performed using a paired t-test to identify differences between the pre- and post-intervention periods.
RESULTS: Children who received the P-CARE intervention showed a mean increase in height (H) of 1.43 cm. Within-group analyses demonstrated a significant improvement in HAZ-Height-for-Age z-score (0.563 ± 1.903, p = 0.003), while favorable changes were also observed in WAZ-Weight-for-Age z-score (0.104 ± 1.385). However, adjusted ANCOVA analyses showed that HAZ and WAZ did not remain statistically significant after controlling for covariates. In contrast, the between-group comparison showed a significant difference in WHZ (Weight-for-Height Z-score) between the control and intervention groups (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The Family Program CARE (P-CARE) demonstrated promising improvements in several child and family health indicators among children with stunting. Although improvements were observed in selected outcomes, not all anthropometric indicators remained statistically significant after adjusted analyses. These findings support the potential role of family-centered, community-based interventions as a comprehensive strategy for addressing stunting in children.