Traditional Knowledge dalam Upaya Pencegahan Stunting di Kabupaten Bireuen

Abstract

This study investigates the role, relevance, and effectiveness of traditional knowledge in stunting prevention efforts in Bireuen Regency, Indonesia. Stunting remains a critical public health and development challenge, particularly in regions with distinctive socio-cultural and geographical characteristics. Bireuen has experienced notable fluctuations in stunting prevalence, rising from 23.4% in 2022 to 32.9% in 2023, before declining to 27.1% by the end of 2024. Beyond impairing physical growth, stunting negatively affects cognitive development and long-term human capital formation. Existing interventions have largely centered on biomedical and nutrition-specific approaches, while the potential contributions of locally embedded traditional knowledge systems remain underexplored and insufficiently integrated into formal policy frameworks. Adopting a qualitative research design, this study employed observation, in-depth interviews, document analysis, and focus group discussions to examine local health-related practices. Particular attention was given to the mee bu gateng tradition as a nutrient-rich community-based supplementary feeding practice, culturally embedded maternal and infant care routines, and the utilization of herbal plants such as moringa leaves and butterfly pea flowersin reproductive and postnatal health maintenance. The findings reveal that traditional knowledge constitutes a substantial resource for strengthening nutritional resilience and maternal–child health, especially during the First 1,000 Days of Life. Several practices demonstrate strong compatibility with contemporary public health principles, although certain traditions require facilitation to mitigate potential risks. The study underscores the salience of culturally grounded approaches to stunting prevention and highlights the critical importance of collaborative engagement among formal health practitioners, customary leaders, and local communities in generating sustainable and contextually appropriate interventions. The study recommends enhancing community literacy on traditional knowledge, institutionalizing traditional knowledge within maternal and child nutrition policies, and developing community-based intervention models rooted in local empowerment. These strategies are expected to foster more inclusive, participatory, and culturally situated stunting prevention efforts.