Status Gizi Anak Balita di Wiiayah Kerja Puskesmas yang Berbeda Kinerja di Kabupaten Sumba Timur

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the nutritional status of children receiving supplementary food from the high and low performing health centers in East Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Assessment of all 15 health-centers was the first stage to determine the performance level using input-output-process approach, and 568 selected households from two performance categories was the second stage to investigate nutritional status. A scoring system was used to determine the performance level, and anthropometric measurement was used to assess nutritional status. SPSS version 10.0 and EpiInfo 6.04b were used for data analyses. The study was conducted from February to March 2001. All input-process-output and personnel capability variables between the two performance levels were significantly different (Mann-Whitney U test). The supplementary feeding package fulfilled optimally the standard requirement, but the method and frequency of distribution did not. The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly different between the two performance levels (Pearson’s Chi-square test). The high performing health center had a lower prevalence of malnutrition than the low performing health center. Better input, better process, and more capable personnel might lead to a better score of nutrition services performance of the health center, and might lead to a better nutritional status of under-five children. Better performance of nutrition services of the health center might not lead to better management of supplementary food distribution of the health center. Lack of transportation and small number of personnel might have influenced the improper nutrition service management.