Obstacles to the Complementary Feeding Assistance Program for Stunted Children Aged 6-24 Months: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Stunting is a condition of stunted physical and cognitive growth caused by malnutrition during the development of children under five. UNICEF and WHO recommendations stipulate exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and breastfeeding for up to two years. Apart from that, it is very important to provide complementary foods for breast milk for 6-23 months. The aim of the research is to determine the obstacles to the Complementary Feeding assistance program for stunted children aged 6-24 months. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review. Health database with search engines Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direch, ProQuest and Scinapse. The search strategy uses the keywords: Program Constraints, Complementary Feeding, Stunting and Baduta. Identifying research articles for 2017-2023 and using PRISMA flowcharts and literature eligibility criteria based on the PICOS framework. A total of 10,523 articles were identified. Five articles used cross sectional methods, three survey articles, one descriptive analysis article and one cohort article. There were 10 eligible articles that met the inclusion criteria. Based on the results of the identification of Complementary Feeding assistance programs for stunted children aged 6-24 months. There is a correlation between obstacles to the mentoring program related to non-optimal complementary feeding practices (accuracy, diversity and frequency), lack of knowledge and experience, obstacles in communication skills (delivering key messages), selfefficacy/working mothers, sanitation/environmental conditions, socio-economic, weak regulations and government programs including increasing community-based programs such as posyandu. If children aged 0-23 months receive inappropriate complementary foods, they are at high risk of stunting. Various obstacles to the Complementary Feeding assistance program will influence the program's emphasis on promoting children's growth and development to prevent stunting. Conclusion: the Complementary Feeding mentoring program is not optimal, due to various obstacles (specific and sensitive) faced in providing Complementary Feeding to stunted children aged 6-23 months.