PENDAMPINGAN KEGIATAN POSYANDU DALAM MENINGKATKAN KESEHATAN IBU DAN BALITA MELALUI METODE PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH (PAR) DI RANGKAPAN JAYA BARU PANCORAN MAS DEPOK

Abstract

Maternal and child health (MCH) has always been a top priority in global and national health development goals. In Indonesia, Integrated Service Posts (Posyandu) play an essential role as primary health care centers managed by, for, and from the community. This community service activity aims to improve maternal and toddler health services through Posyandu in RW 08, Rangkapan Jaya Baru Village. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) method used actually feels like collaborative work, not just research. The community, Posyandu cadres, and the community service team were actively involved from start to finish. The service team sat down with the regional administrators and cadres, discussing and exploring the most pressing needs of the program. After that, the team went into the field, registering participants, weighing and measuring toddlers, distributing vitamin A, immunizations, and providing direct health education to mothers. The team not only observed but also participated in practice. The results were quite satisfactory. The program ran smoothly and the community was very enthusiastic. Many mothers became more aware of the importance of Posyandu, growth and development monitoring improved, and the role of cadres became increasingly important in community-based health services. Although there are still shortcomings, such as some mothers not regularly attending the integrated health post (Posyandu), and some toddlers not yet fully immunized, this participatory approach truly helps empower the community and serves as a preventative measure to improve maternal and child health in this area.