Efektivitas Pemberdayaan Keluarga Berbasis Family Centered Nursing Terhadap Kemandirian Keluarga Dalam Mencegah Stunting Pada Balita Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Sei Mencirim

Abstract

Stunting is a condition of impaired growth resulting from chronic malnutrition that occurs during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. Stunting not only affects physical growth but also hinders cognitive development and immune function. The active role of families is crucial in stunting prevention efforts; however, a lack of family independence remains a major obstacle. The Family Centered Nursing (FCN) approach is believed to empower families to become more self-reliant in maintaining child health. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of family empowerment based on Family Centered Nursing in increasing family independence in preventing stunting among toddlers. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group approach. A total of 80 families were selected as participants, divided equally into intervention and control groups. The intervention involved a four-week family empowerment program based on FCN. A family independence questionnaire was used as the research instrument. Data were analyzed using Paired T-Test and Independent T-Test. The results showed that the average family independence score in the intervention group increased from 56.53 before the intervention to 74.90 afterward. In contrast, the control group showed only a slight increase, from 56.30 to 58.07. The Paired T-Test revealed a significant increase in the intervention group (p < 0.001), while no significant change was observed in the control group (p > 0.05). The Independent T-Test also indicated a significant difference between the intervention and control groups after the intervention (p < 0.001). It can be concluded that family empowerment based on Family Centered Nursing is effective in enhancing family independence in preventing stunting among toddlers. This approach is recommended as a community nursing intervention in promotive and preventive stunting programs.