I ask the cadres at the posyandus to measure the height, length, and weight of babies accurately. This is because the results of babies' measurements will be used to determine the stunting prevalence rate in Indonesia in 2022.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) has asked all integrated health posts (posyandus) to not underestimate the importance of measuring infants’ and young children's weight and height accurately.

"I ask the cadres at the posyandus to measure the height, length, and weight of babies accurately. This is because the results of babies' measurements will be used to determine the stunting prevalence rate in Indonesia in 2022," BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo said here on Friday.

He requested that midwives and health workers measure the weight and height of infants and young children correctly, based on the applicable procedures, as the data will be compiled into the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (SSGI).

If the measurements are not precise and errors are made, there is a possibility that health workers may end up overlooking a healthy child, who actually falls in the stunted category, he explained.

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One of the reasons inaccurate measurements are taken is that infants and young children tend to keep moving their legs when they are being measured, he said. To accurately measure a child's height, their body must be in a straight position, he added.

Another reason is children being measured in a standing position as they do not want to lie down in the provided space.

"The measuring results certainly will be shorter. Therefore, workers who measure them can gather first so that they have an understanding of the correct measurement methods," Wardoyo said.

He expressed the hope that all integrated health posts will work together to measure children's growth and development carefully. He also invited families who have toddlers and children aged 0–24 months to visit a posyandu for taking their body measurements.

"If 80 percent (of the population came) to be measured, the quality of the data will be better," he added.

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Translator: Hreeloita S, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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