The Critical Role of Community-Based Advocacy Communication Model in Combating Stunting in Indonesia: A Study from Jeneponto

Abstract

Stunting remains a significant public health issue in Indonesia, particularly acute in South Sulawesi where it affects 27.2% of toddlers, and reaching an alarming rate of 39.8% in Kabupaten Jeneponto, highlighting severe gaps in nutrition and healthcare access. To combat this, the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) employs conditional cash transfers and local food-based supplements. This qualitative descriptive study, rooted in a post-positivist paradigm, was conducted over three months in Jeneponto, selected for its critical stunting rates and active PKH engagement. Primary data were sourced from interviews with PKH social workers and beneficiaries, supplemented by secondary data from agency reports and scholarly literature, with analysis focusing on data identification, processing, and validation. The results indicate PKH's advocacy efforts are aimed at incorporating community issues into the policy framework and ensuring accountability among policymakers, structured around stages of analysis, strategy, mobilization, action, evaluation, and sustainability. However, challenges such as poor interagency coordination and budget constraints hinder effective intervention. The findings underscore the role of advocacy in shaping public health strategies and enhancing community engagement, suggesting that robust advocacy could lead to scalable stunting reduction models if systemic barriers are overcome and intersectoral collaboration is strengthened. Ultimately, advocacy within PKH is vital for addressing stunting in Jeneponto, demanding improved coordination and sustained community efforts to significantly enhance health outcomes and reduce stunting rates.