FROM GROWTH MONITORING TO EARLY INTERVENTION: STRENGTHENING DIGITAL POSYANDU SYSTEMS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDHOOD GROWTH DISORDERS

Ramdani Apriandi; Hanapi; Ariep Hustami

doi:10.55681/aohj.v3i2.562

Authors

Ramdani Apriandi Institut Teknologi dan Kesehatan Aspirasi
Hanapi Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika
Ariep Hustami Univeristas Pendidikan Mandalika

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55681/aohj.v3i2.562

Keywords:

Digital Posyandu, Child Growth Monitoring, WHO Growth Standards, Early Detection, Stunting Prevention

Abstract

Child growth monitoring at Posyandu is a cornerstone of community-based maternal and child health services in Indonesia, yet fragmented records, delayed interpretation, and inconsistent follow-up may reduce its capacity to identify growth faltering early. This study examines how a strengthened digital Posyandu system can integrate anthropometric recording, automated World Health Organization growth-standard interpretation, longitudinal visualization, risk alerts, and referral support for early detection of childhood growth disorders. A quasi-experimental simulation-based study was designed using 360 child records aged 0–59 months distributed across six community Posyandu sites. The digital workflow was compared with a conventional paper-based workflow using completeness, classification accuracy, detection time, referral timeliness, and user acceptance indicators. The simulated results showed that digital implementation increased complete growth records from 78.1% to 96.4%, improved correct nutritional-status classification from 84.7% to 97.2%, and reduced median time from measurement to risk identification from seven days to the same service day. Children with repeated growth faltering were more consistently flagged, while automated reminders improved scheduled follow-up and referral documentation. Cadres and primary healthcare staff reported that dashboards and color-coded alerts supported interpretation, although connectivity, device availability, data protection, and digital competency remained implementation challenges. The study indicates that digital Posyandu should function not merely as electronic documentation but as a decision-support pathway linking measurement, interpretation, communication, referral, and follow-up. Strengthening interoperability, workforce training, measurement quality assurance, and caregiver engagement can transform routine growth monitoring into earlier, more coordinated preventive intervention within community-based primary

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