Opening the Gateway to Nutrition: An Evaluation of Public Service Access and Health Education in Stunting Prevention in Cikarang

Abstract

(Membuka Gerbang Gizi; Evaluasi Akses Layanan Publik dan Edukasi Kesehatan dalam Pencegahan Stunting di Cikarang)

This study aims to analyze the influence of public service access and health education on stunting prevention among urban-industrial communities in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency. Using a quantitative explanatory research approach, data were collected from 300 respondents, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, mothers of toddlers, health cadres, and health workers through surveys conducted at several posyandu (integrated health posts). The data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that public service access has a significant positive effect on health education (β = 0.161; p = 0.01), while its direct effect on stunting prevention is not significant (β = 0.118; p = 0.081). In contrast, health education has a significant positive effect on stunting prevention (β = 0.292; p = 0.000) and mediates the relationship between public service access and stunting prevention (β = 0.047; p = 0.032). These findings indicate that the success of stunting prevention depends not only on the availability of health facilities but also on the effectiveness of health education and cross-sectoral collaboration in public service governance. The study recommends strengthening posyandu as community-based nutrition education centers and adapting public services to the socio-economic characteristics of industrial communities.

abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh akses layanan publik dan edukasi kesehatan terhadap pencegahan stunting pada komunitas perkotaan-industrial di Cikarang, Kabupaten Bekasi. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kuantitatif eksplanatori, data dikumpulkan dari 300 responden, termasuk ibu hamil dan menyusui, ibu balita, kader kesehatan, serta tenaga kesehatan melalui survei yang dilakukan di beberapa posyandu. Data dianalisis menggunakan Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) dan Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa akses layanan publik berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap edukasi kesehatan (β = 0.161; p = 0.01), namun pengaruh langsungnya terhadap pencegahan stunting tidak signifikan (β = 0.118; p = 0.081). Sebaliknya, edukasi kesehatan memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap pencegahan stunting (β = 0.292; p = 0.000) dan memediasi hubungan antara akses layanan publik dan pencegahan stunting (β = 0.047; p = 0.032). Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa keberhasilan pencegahan stunting tidak hanya bergantung pada ketersediaan fasilitas kesehatan, tetapi juga pada efektivitas edukasi kesehatan serta kolaborasi lintas sektor dalam tata kelola layanan publik. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan penguatan posyandu sebagai pusat edukasi gizi berbasis komunitas dan penyesuaian layanan publik dengan karakteristik sosial-ekonomi masyarakat industrial.