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From July to August 2023, students from the Undergraduate Medical Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret were undergoing thematic Community Service Program (KKN) 'Building Village Health' in Sragen, Boyolali, Karanganyar, and Wonogiri Regencies. The KKN 237 team assigned to Gawan Village, Sragen Regency, held 'Nutrition Counseling for Pregnant Women with Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK)' on Thursday, July 20, 2023, and a Youth Integrated Service Post (Youth Posyandu) with the theme 'Socialization of Adolescent Reproductive Health' on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

The activity 'Nutrition Counseling for Pregnant Women with Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK)' was targeted at two pregnant women who have chronic energy deficiency conditions and live in Gawan Village. This counseling prioritized the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of chronic energy deficiency (KEK) as well as the nutrition that can be given to prevent chronic energy deficiency (KEK). Apart from that, the KKN 237 team also provided education regarding how to measure body mass index (BMI) and upper arm circumference (LILA) independently as a form of early detection. The counseling was carried out through interactive education with Farras Handyra Putra, Sativa Septiana, Davina Shinta Felisha, Zahra Roidah Amalia Hasna, and Aisyah Shabrina Az Zakiya as educators in the first session, followed by Octavia Jihan Ajingga, Anggriyani Widya Pramuni, Khansa Firyallely Paramesti, Farah Shalihah, and Muhammad Iqbal Albashiry as educators in the second session. This program was also accompanied by female cadres and village midwives in its implementation, so it was hoped that this program can continue and become a means of education for the residents of Gawan Village.

"Hopefully, this nutrition education program can provide new knowledge and benefits to the pregnant women who are visited and can be a learning tool for the KKN ladies and gentlemen to channel their knowledge in Gawan Village," Mrs. Tarida as the midwife in Gawan Village said.

Apart from providing counseling to pregnant women, the KKN 237 Team also carried out preventive programs through Youth Posyandu, with adolescent reproductive health as the main theme. Considering that there was still a high incidence of early marriage in Gawan Village, the KKN 237 Team provided education regarding the importance of maintaining reproductive health and achieving balanced nutrition as a form of prevention against risk factors for chronic energy deficiency in the future. In addition to education, the KKN 237 Team also carries out examinations on teenagers, such as height, weight, blood pressure, and upper arm circumference (LILA).

Stunting is still a problem that appeared every year in Indonesia, including in Gawan Village, Sragen. The factors that caused stunting can basically occur when the baby is in the womb. One of the reasons was that the mother does not have access to healthy and nutritious foods, such as high-protein foods. Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the percentage of pregnant women experiencing chronic energy deficiency in Indonesia reached 17.3%, while in Gawan Village there were 2 cases of pregnant women experiencing chronic energy deficiency. It was hoped that holding this program could increase public knowledge and awareness, especially among pregnant women, regarding the dangers of chronic malnutrition and its future impacts. By increasing public awareness about KEK, it was hoped that the stunting rate in Gawan Village could be reduced.

 

Public Relation of FK UNS