The role of posyandu in the community is very large. Although identical to infants and toddlers, posyandu activities and their benefits are not limited to that. Many posyandu programs are also intended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and couples of childbearing age.
Posyandu (integrated service post) is the government's effort to facilitate the Indonesian people in obtaining maternal and child health services. The main goal of posyandu is to prevent an increase in maternal and infant mortality during pregnancy, childbirth or afterward through community empowerment.
In contrast to puskesmas which provide services every day, posyandu only serve at least once a month. Posyandu locations are generally easy to reach by the community, from the village or sub-district environment to RT and RW.
Various Posyandu Activities and Their Benefits
Posyandu activities consist of main activities and development activities. The following are some of the main activities of posyandu:
1. Maternal health program
The services provided by posyandu to pregnant women include pregnancy check-ups and nutritional monitoring. Not only examinations, pregnant women can also conduct consultations regarding preparation for childbirth and breastfeeding.
In order to maintain pregnancy conditions, pregnant women can also get the TT vaccine to prevent tetanus, which is still common in developing countries, such as Indonesia.
After giving birth, mothers can also get supplements of vitamin A, vitamin B, and iron which are good for consumption during breastfeeding, as well as the installation of contraceptives (KB) at the posyandu.
2. Child health program
One of the main programs of the posyandu is to carry out routine examinations of infants and toddlers. This is important to do to monitor the growth and development of children and detect early if the child has a growth disorder.
The types of services provided by the Posyandu for toddlers include weighing, measuring children's height and head circumference, evaluating growth and development, as well as growth and development counseling and counseling. The results of the examination are then recorded in the KIA or KMS book.
3. Family Planning (KB)
Family planning services at posyandu are generally provided by cadres in the form of condoms and birth control pills. Meanwhile, family planning injections can only be given by puskesmas personnel. If there is room and supporting equipment and trained personnel, posyandu can also be installed with IUDs and implants.
4. Immunization
Compulsory immunization is a government program that requires every child under 1 year of age to be vaccinated. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has determined that there are 5 types of immunization that must be given, namely hepatitis B, polio, BCG, measles, and DPT-HB-HiB immunizations.
In this case, posyandu is one of the parties that has the right to organize the immunization program. Not only children, pregnant women can also vaccinate at the posyandu, such as tetanus, hepatitis, and pneumococcal vaccinations.
5. Monitoring nutritional status
Through nutrition monitoring activities, posyandu play an important role in preventing risks stunting in children. Nutrition services at posyandu include measurement of weight and height, early detection of growth disorders, nutritional counseling, and supplementation.
If pregnant women are found with chronic energy deficiency conditions (KEK) or toddlers whose growth is not according to age, posyandu cadres can refer the patient to the puskesmas.
6. Prevention and control of diarrhea
Prevention of diarrhea is carried out through Clean and Healthy Behavior (PHBS). Meanwhile, the handling of diarrhea is done through the administration of ORS. If further treatment is needed, health workers can provide supplements zinc.
Meanwhile, Posyandu development activities include Family Toddler Development (BKB), Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA), Elderly Family Development (BKL), and Early Childhood Education (PAUD). These development activities are generally carried out if the 6 main activities have been carried out properly.
Benefits of Participating in Posyandu Activities
Posyandu activities and their benefits can be obtained without incurring costs, thus greatly easing the economic burden on the community. Apart from that, posyandu also has many other benefits which include:
- Provide a variety of information regarding maternal and child health, such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and disease prevention
- Monitoring children's growth and development, so that children avoid the risk of malnutrition or malnutrition
- Detect early if there are abnormalities in children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, so that treatment can be carried out immediately
- Provide complete immunization
Posyandu can also be a means for mothers to increase knowledge and share experiences about maternal and child health, both with health workers and with other posyandu participants. With good knowledge, it is hoped that the quality of maternal and child health can improve.
Posyandu activities and their benefits can be felt more if they are followed regularly. If you are interested in participating in posyandu activities, you can ask the RT/RW management, local posyandu cadres, or puskesmas in your neighborhood.