Implementation and Recommendations of a Supplementary Feeding Education Program for Children Under Two Years in Semarang Regency Central Java, Indonesia

Background: Childhood Malnutrition, particularly stunting and wasting, persist as a major public health challenge worldwide. Globally, stunting affects approximately 148 million children, while wasting impacts 45 million. In Indonesia, the prevalence of stunting declined from 24.4% in 2021 to 21.5% in 2023; however, wasting increased from 7.1% to 7.7% over the same period. In Semarang Regency, stunting and wasting prevalence were recorded at 19.6% and 7.1%, respectively. As part of national efforts to address this burden, the government has implemented supplementary feeding programs utilizing locally sourced ingredients. Prior research indicates that locally tailored nutrition education can enhance child-feeding practices; nevertheless, such interventions remain limited in rural settings.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a supplementary feeding education program targeting children under two years of age in Semarang Regency.

Participants and Methods: A qualitative case study design with multiple cases was employed, involving 16 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and subsequently analyzed utilizing NVivo software to identify recurrent themes.

Results: The findings underscore that active stakeholder engagement, particularly the financial support provided by community leaders, is critical to program success. The recourse to both traditional and digital media proved valuable for disseminating educational content, although literacy challenges persist in rural areas —for instance, maternal and child health books are often consulted only when necessary. While educational materials were adapted to local contexts, significant challenge in ensuring their consistent relevance and accessibility remain.

Conclusions: To enhance program effectiveness, it is essential to strengthen stakeholder collaboration through regular forums between community health centers and village governments during village meetings, optimize media utilization by incorporating short videos and WhatsApp-based pocket books to facilitate home-based learning for mothers, and ensure the cultural appropriateness of educational content through the integration of local food ingredients.