The effect of supplementary feeding (PMT)-child recovery intervention in the coastal area of North Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

Background: Malnutrition in Coastal Areas is still a public health problem in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Nutritional status plays an important role in supporting growth, physical and cognitive development according to the child's age. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Supplementary Feeding Recovery (PMT-P) on children's nutritional status.
Methods: Experimental research design with Pretest and Posttest One Group Design approach. Involving 75 mothers who have children aged 6-24 months in the work area of the North Buton Regency Health Office, the child sample was selected by purposive sampling with inclusion criteria such as children who have growth below the red line (BGM) or experience very thin nutrition, toddlers who consume PMT-P from the government program in the form of biscuits, given regularly for up to 90 days. Children aged 6-11 months are given 80 gr/day equivalent to 8 pieces of biscuits (2 packs) while children aged 12-24 months are given 120 gr/day equivalent to 12 pieces of biscuits (3 packs). The instruments used in this study were the Healthy Towards Card (KMS) and the measurement of the toddler's weight was carried out using a Msumed brand digital scale with an accuracy of 0.1 cm while the measurement of the body length and height of the toddler was carried out using an Msumed brand infantometer and a statuemeter with an accuracy of 0.1 cm. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test (significant p<0.005).
Results: The results showed that there was an effect of PMT-P administration before and after the intervention for 3 months on the nutritional status of children (p = value 0.000).
Conclusion: There is an effect of giving PMT-P before and after the intervention for 3 months on the nutritional status of children. Therefore, the Government must continue to increase PMT-P as an alternative in management of malnutrition in children aged 6 to 24 months in North Buton Regency, southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia