Women in Health Communication The Role of Family Assistance Teams (TPK) in Accelerating Stunting Reduction in East Java

Abstract

Women in the construction of society are required to take more roles in domestic affairs, one of which is family health. The inherent gender construction that a woman is more painstaking, patient and flexible attitude makes women appointed as agents of change in every health program. One of the national problems in this country that is a priority is stunting. The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) was appointed as the implementer of the stunting reduction program in Indonesia. BKKBN has formed a Family Assistance Team (TPK) to accelerate stunting reduction. The family assistance team (TPK) is a group of personnel formed and consisting of Midwives, TP PKK Cadres and KB Cadres. The majority of TPK members are women. The task of TPK is to carry out assistance including counseling, facilitation of referral services and facilitation of receiving social assistance programs to prospective brides/prospective couples of childbearing age, pregnant women, postpartum mothers, children aged 0-59 months as well as conducting surveillance of families at risk of stunting to early detect stunting risk factors. The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of TPK about the main tasks and functions (tupoksi), as well as obstacles in carrying out tasks. The benefit of this research is that it is an input for BKKBN as an evaluation of the performance of TPK institutions at the village level. The research method conducted was interviews and observations to TPK in several districts in East Java. From the results of the study, it shows that the family companion team in general already knows about the role of their duties and functions. The obstacles faced are in terms of geography, budget, facilities and infrastructure, unsupportive behavior from the community, too much training material, obstacles on Elsimil’s servers and applications.