15 September 2025
Syafrijal S.Kom
Mandailing Natal Regency is one of the areas with a relatively high stunting burden in North Sumatra Province. This situation reflects the need for more intensive interventions and a comprehensive approach to prevent and reduce stunting rates. Factors such as limited access to health services, low nutritional literacy, and early marriage practices contribute to this problem. In response to this situation, a team from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of North Sumatra (USU) implemented a community service program focused on empowering adolescents as ambassadors for stunting prevention. This program was implemented by a community service team led by Dr. Siti Zahara Nasution, S.Kp., MNS, with team members Ikhsanuddin Ahmad Harahap, S.Kp., MNS; Lufthiani, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes; Dr. Evi Karota, S.Kp., MNS, from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of North Sumatra (USU), and involving Dr. Mhd. Ridha Haykal Amal, S.H., M.H., S.Sos., M.Si. in the program preparation process. This activity was also supported by three students from the Faculty of Nursing at USU.
The program took place at SMP Negeri 2 Ranto Baek, primarily targeting adolescents who were being prepared to become educational agents in their communities. This activity received a positive response from all teachers at SMP Negeri 2 Ranto Baek, especially Principal Enri Darmawan Nasution, S.Pd.I., who welcomed the program. The initial phase began with training for selected adolescents on the basics of stunting prevention, the importance of balanced nutrition, and knowledge about the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK). The material was designed in an applicable and communicative manner for easy understanding and implementation in daily life. After the training, the adolescents were equipped not only with theory but also received direct mentoring from the community service team and health workers.
This mentoring helped them design and implement outreach activities for their peers and the surrounding community. To measure the extent of the participants' knowledge improvement, pre- and post-tests were administered, the results of which showed a significant increase in understanding.
The involvement of adolescents in this program is an effective strategy because they are considered to have great potential to convey health messages more openly, communicatively, and in a way that is easily accepted by their surroundings.
Furthermore, as future parents, an early understanding of nutrition and healthy parenting will have a long-term impact on the quality of the next generation. Through the active participation of young people and collaboration between various parties, this program is expected to make a real contribution to reducing stunting rates in Mandailing Natal. By expanding its reach and strengthening implementation on the ground, the national target of reducing stunting prevalence is achievable. Active community participation and support from various institutions are key to a healthier and stunting-free Indonesia.
