BRIN collaborates with universities in stunting monitoring research

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) collaborated with two private universities to develop Simonting, an application for monitoring stunting.

"Research on stunting, as a national priority, is very strategic for BRIN. Therefore, research and innovation are needed to improve stunting reduction programs," Head of BRIN's Public Policy Research Center (PRKP) Yanuar Farida Wismayanti stated here on Saturday.

She remarked that the research partnership in stunting monitoring followed up on the earlier research conducted last year.

"In 2022-2023, we have the time series data, which shows stunting has a significant influence on the children's future," she remarked.

Wismayanti explained that the research found a gap between parenting and health service patterns. One of the root issues is that health workers did not have the comprehensive tools to serve stunted children.

Hence, she stated that this time, the research partnership focuses on monitoring stunted children by using the Simonting app, along with the government's programs to reduce the stunting rate.

"The data collection on childbirth is carried out by health workers and the integrated health posts (Posyandu). We have evaluated the monitoring process through the Simonting app, which was developed by the Muhammadiyah University in Jember," she remarked.

This year, BRIN expanded its studies on stunting to Jember, East Java, and Magelang, Central Java. To that end, the agency invited local private universities to join in the research.

"This research will have an impact on the public and government's policies. Therefore, in reducing stunting, we involve local partners such as local governments, universities, the regional development planning agencies (Bappeda), and health offices," she remarked.

Furthermore, she expressed optimism that the joint research results could benefit stunting reduction nationally.