Women’s Double Burden and its Impact on Stunting: A Case Study in Sawa Erma District, Asmat Regency, South Papua

In 2022, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia reported that Asmat Regency has the highest stunting prevalence in the country (54.5%). Stunting is primarily caused by chronic malnutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life (1,000 HPK). However, in Asmat, this issue is not solely attributable to nutritional deficits but stems from a complex, cumulative double burden affecting pregnant and lactating women, which must be systematically addressed. This study aims to examine the nature of this double burden among women in Asmat and its impact on stunting incidence. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative research designs. Data were collected through structured questionnaires using a five-level Likert scale, administered to respondents selected proportionally across four villages with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error, based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size table. To enrich findings, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with community members in each village, and in-depth interviews were held with key informants. Anthropometric measurements were used to assess maternal nutritional status. Results indicate a strong correlation between the double burden faced by women during the 1,000 HPK period, characterized by malnutrition or risk of malnutrition, and high stunting rates, particularly in Er, Sona, Agani, and Mumugu villages. The double burden includes: limited health knowledge and inadequate counseling; maternal undernutrition and unmet nutritional needs for fetuses and young children; heavy domestic workloads combined with income-generating activities outside the home; efforts to care for family members alongside exposure to intimate partner violence; and a desire for education constrained by limited opportunities. The complexity of factors contributing to stunting in Asmat calls for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, and integrated response. Effective interventions must include sustained community mobilization, continuous mentoring, health education, and counseling provided by healthcare workers, especially for pregnant and lactating women, as preventive measures to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Asmat Regency. Keywords: double burden; stunting; Asmat women.