Effective Therapeutic Communication Model in Reducing Stunting in Secanggang District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20262562Keywords:
Communication Model, Therapeutic, Stunting, SecanggangAbstract
This research aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic communication model in reducing the prevalence of stunting in Secanggang District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. Given the high stunting rates ranging from 20-25%, and the need for effective and sustainable intervention, this study designs a model that is responsive to the local social and cultural context. The urgency of this research lies in the pressing need for interventions that not only increase awareness but also change community behaviors related to child care and nutrition practices, aligning with WHO targets and national policies. The methodology employed is qualitative with a phenomenological approach to deeply understand the experiences and perspectives of the community. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and focused group discussions (FGDs) in locations with high stunting prevalence. Data analysis was conducted using Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s method which includes creating matrices, categorization, coding, visual data presentation, and validating findings through triangulation techniques to strengthen result validity. The findings indicate that the proposed therapeutic communication model—including health education, family support, participatory communication, health service integration, and policy advocacy—has significant potential to improve community nutritional knowledge and behaviors. However, challenges in implementing this model primarily involve limitations in infrastructure, access to services, and sustainability of community participation. Discussion of these results leads to recommendations for adjusting the model to consider specific needs and local conditions, and for enhancing resources and cross-sector collaboration for more effective implementation.
References
1. Acero CG. Effect of a behavioral change communication strategy coupled with small-quantity lipid-based or micro-nutrient supplements on stunting and obesity in children in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial. Matern Child Nutr. 2025. doi:10.1111/mcn.13802 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13802
2. Adi AC, Diana R, Devy SR, Qomaruddin MB, Damayanti NA, Putri NK. The correlation between regulation understanding by inter-professional first 1000 days of life health workers and the acceleration of toddler stunting prevention. Indian J Public Health Res Dev. 2019;10(3):911–6. doi:10.5958/0976-5506.2019.00618.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-5506.2019.00618.1
3. Baum S. Research questions and research design. 2021. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-1677-8_2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1677-8_2
4. Benzi IMA, Gallus S, Santoro E, Barone L, Cavallo F, Coppola L, et al. Psychosocial determinants of sleep difficulties in adolescence: the role of perceived support from family, peers, and school in an Italian HBSC sample. Eur J Pediatr. 2023;182(6). doi:10.1007/s00431-023-04934-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-023-04934-0
5. Creswell JW, Creswell DJ. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. International Student Edition. SAGE; 2022.
6. De Cocker K, Verloigne M, Cardon G, Van Acker R. Public health communication and education to promote more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour: development and formative evaluation of the ‘physical activity triangle’. Patient Educ Couns. 2021;104(1). doi:10.1016/j.pec.2020.06.025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.06.025
7. de Sousa Mata ÁN, de Azevedo KPM, Braga LP, de Medeiros GCBS, de Oliveira Segundo VH, Bezerra INM, et al. Training in communication skills for self-efficacy of health professionals: a systematic review. Hum Resour Health. 2021;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12960-021-00574-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00574-3
8. DPR RI. Kurniasih: Di Tahun 2024, Penurunan Stunting Harus Jadi Fokus Bersama. 2024.
9. Fernando GH, Purva M. Role of healthcare leaders in the digitalization of health system: a review. Int J Health Syst Resil. 2023. doi:10.51595/injhsr22/018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51595/INJHSR22/018
10. Gustini G, Syarif I, Sasarari ZA, Khair U, Anggeraeni A. Effect of therapeutic communication on anxiety levels in preoperative patients. J Ilm Kesehat Sandi Husada. 2023;12(2). doi:10.35816/jiskh.v12i2.1112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35816/jiskh.v12i2.1112
11. Im M, Oh J. Nursing support perceived by mothers of preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit in South Korea. Child Health Nurs Res. 2021;27(2). doi:10.4094/chnr.2021.27.2.146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2021.27.2.146
12. Jayne KM, Purswell KE, Stulmaker HL. Facilitating congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard through therapeutic limit-setting: Attitudinal Conditions Limit-setting Model (ACLM). Int J Play Ther. 2019;28(4). doi:10.1037/pla0000101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000101
13. Jeniawaty S, Mairo QKN. The effect of spiritual-based holistic integrative early childhood education on stunting prevention. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2022;10(E). doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.6999 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.6999
14. Kendel Jovanović G, Janković S, Pavičić ŽeŽelj S. The effect of nutritional and lifestyle education intervention program on nutrition knowledge, diet quality, lifestyle, and nutritional status of Croatian school children. Front Sustain Food Syst. 2023;7. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2023.1019849 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1019849
15. Kodish SR. Leveraging the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement to operationalize stunting prevention activities: implementation lessons from rural Malawi. Food Nutr Bull. 2022;43(1):104–20. doi:10.1177/03795721211046140 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721211046140
16. Mandal FB, Dutta M. The potential of entomophagy against malnutrition and ensuring food sustainability. Afr J Biol Sci. 2022;4(4). doi:10.33472/AFJBS.4.4.2022.15-22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33472/AFJBS.4.4.2022.15-22
17. Mardiansyah T. Communication strategy of community health center cadres in preventing stunting. Int J Educ Lang Religion. 2022;4(1). doi:10.35308/ijelr.v4i1.5059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35308/ijelr.v4i1.5059
18. Marni M. Risk factor and interventions of behavioral changing strategy in acceleration of stunting prevention: a systematic review. Enferm Clin. 2021;31. doi:10.1016/j.enfcli.2021.07.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2021.07.008
19. Marni M. Cultural communication strategies of behavioral changes in accelerating stunting prevention: a systematic review. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9:447–52. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.7019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.7019
20. Meher C, Zaluchu F. Methods for stunting education in impoverished rural areas using illustrated modules in local languages. MethodsX. 2025;14:103086. doi:10.1016/j.mex.2024.103086 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.103086
21. Mesman M, Hendriks H, Onrust S, Neijens P, van den Putte B. The antecedents and consequences of interpersonal communication during a school-based health intervention. Health Commun. 2022;37(1). doi:10.1080/10410236.2020.1824664 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1824664
22. Miles MB, Huberman M, Saldana J. Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook. 4th ed. SAGE; 2020.
23. Mpangane EA, Makhene A, Ally H. Experiences of student nurses on role modelling of a therapeutic approach by registered nurses: recommendations for improvement. Curationis. 2021;44(1). doi:10.4102/curationis.v44i1.2168 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v44i1.2168
24. Myatt M, Khara T, Dolan C, Garenne M, Briend A. Improving screening for malnourished children at high risk of death: a study of children aged 6–59 months in rural Senegal. Public Health Nutr. 2019;22(5). doi:10.1017/S136898001800318X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001800397X
25. Nieforth LO, Craig EA. Patient-centered communication in equine assisted mental health. Health Commun. 2021;36(13). doi:10.1080/10410236.2020.1785376 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1785376
26. Nita MHD, Loaloka MS, Pantaleon MG, Nenotek CR. Pemberian makanan tambahan anak sekolah berbasis pangan lokal. J Pengabdian Masy Kepulauan Lahan Kering. 2021;2(2). doi:10.51556/jpkmkelaker.v2i2.162 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51556/jpkmkelaker.v2i2.162
27. Nurlaela Sari D, Zisca R, Widyawati W, Astuti Y, Melysa M. Pemberdayaan masyarakat dalam pencegahan stunting. JPKMI. 2023;4(1). doi:10.36596/jpkmi.v4i1.552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36596/jpkmi.v4i1.552
28. Oktaviana W, Keliat BA, Wardani IY, Pratiwi A. Effectiveness of health education and infant therapeutic group therapy on stunting risk factors due to maternal depression. J Public Health Res. 2022;11(2). doi:10.4081/jphr.2021.2740 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2740
29. Payán DD. Cultivating health policy analysis and communication skills in undergraduate public health education. Pedagogy Health Promot. 2021;7(3). doi:10.1177/23733799211003248 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23733799211003248
30. Primayanti NW, Puspita V. Local wisdom narrative in environmental campaign. Cogent Arts Humanit. 2022;9(1). doi:10.1080/23311983.2022.2090062 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2022.2090062
31. Putri AP, Rong JR. Parenting functioning in stunting management: a concept analysis. J Public Health Res. 2021;10(2):213–9. doi:10.4081/jphr.2021.2160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2160
32. Rizal MF, van Doorslaer E. Explaining the fall of socioeconomic inequality in childhood stunting in Indonesia. SSM Popul Health. 2019;9. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100469 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100469
33. Rogers CR. The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992;60(6). doi:10.1037/0022-006X.60.6.827 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006X.60.6.827
34. Rogers CR. The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. In: Counseling Psychology. 2017. doi:10.4324/9781315259178-20
35. Saleh A, Syahrul S, Hadju V, Andriani I, Restika I. Role of maternal in preventing stunting: a systematic review. Gac Sanit. 2021;35. doi:10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.10.087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.10.087
36. Salim A, Muslimin I. Analysis of the evaluation performance of cadres care stunting. AcTion Aceh Nutr J. 2023;8(3). doi:10.30867/action.v8i3.1033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30867/action.v8i3.1033
37. Sarami B, Hashemi-Shahraki F, Tali SS, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Reisi H. Effect of Peplau’s interpersonal communication theory on quality of life of AIDS patients. Przegl Epidemiol. 2023;77(1). doi:10.32394/pe.77.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32394/pe.77.10
38. Schesing KB, Chia R, Elwood B, Halm EA, Lee SJC, Lodhi H, et al. Assessment of patient and provider attitudes towards therapeutic drug monitoring in hypertension: a qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2020;10(11). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039940 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039940
39. Sharkiya SH. Quality communication can improve patient-centred health outcomes among older patients: a rapid review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2023;23(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-023-09869-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09869-8
40. Siahaineinia HE, Purba EM. Faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan kejadian stunting pada balita di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Secanggang. Excellent Midwifery J. 2021;4(1). doi:10.55541/emj.v4i1.147 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55541/emj.v4i1.147
41. Sisi SCAA, Suciawati A, Rukmaini. Efektivitas pemberian biskuit PMT terhadap peningkatan lingkar lengan atas ibu hamil. J PKIK. 2021;7(2). doi:10.33651/jpkik.v7i2.253 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33651/jpkik.v7i2.253
42. Takona JP. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Qual Quant. 2024;58(1). doi:10.1007/s11135-023-01798-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01798-2
43. Teguh M, Ida R, Puspa R, Bungin B, Haryono CG. Roles of elders as apparatuses of power in health communication for stunting prevention. J Penelit Pendidik IPA. 2023;9(8). doi:10.29303/jppipa.v9i8.4133 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i8.4133
44. Wardani LK, Aulia V, Hadhikul M, Kardila M. Risks of stunting and interventions to prevent stunting. J Community Engagem Health. 2023;6(2). doi:10.30994/jceh.v6i2.528 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30994/jceh.v6i2.528
45. Watts L, Hodgson D. Social justice theory and practice for social work. 2019. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-3621-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3621-8
46. Weyant E. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed). J Electron Resour Med Libr. 2022;19(1–2). doi:10.1080/15424065.2022.2046231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15424065.2022.2046231
47. Yudarwati GA, Putranto IA, Ratriyana IN, Parera P. Towards an interactive and participatory risk communication: lessons from COVID-19 in Indonesia. Cogent Soc Sci.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dewi Kurniawati, Nurmaini, Aulia Rahma Ritonga (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
