Implementation of the Nutrition Improvement Program for Toddlers in Sungai Pandan District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency (Case Study in Murung Asam Village, Tambalang Kecil and Rantau Karau Hilir)

Some people do not understand about the provision of appropriate nutrition for toddlers, lack of cadre abilities, lack of participation of mothers under five in posyandu activities, inadequate facilities and infrastructure. Based on the above, this study aims to determine the implementation of nutrition improvement programs for toddlers in Sungai Pandan District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency (Case Study in Murung Asam Village, Tambalang Kecil and Rantau Karau Hilir) and the factors that influence implementation. This research uses qualitative research methods and qualitative descriptive types. Data collection techniques used are interviews, observation and documentation. Sources of data were taken through purposive sampling with a total of 18 people. After the data is collected then it is analyzed by techniques including data reduction, data presentation and verification or drawing conclusions. The results showed that the implementation of nutrition improvement programs for children under five in Sungai Pandan District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency in Murung Asam, Tambalang Kecil and Rantau Karau Hilir Villages was not optimal. Viewed from the environmental aspect on indicators of social environment, cultural environment, and involvement of program recipients. The resource aspect includes indicators of human resources, facilities, and funds. Then the aspects of the characteristics and capabilities of implementing agents on the capability indicators. As for what is optimal, it is seen from the aspect of inter-organizational relations on indicators of coordination, and cooperation between agencies. Then the aspects of the characteristics and abilities of implementing agents on indicators of bureaucratic structure and relations to the target group. The influencing factors, the driving factor, are proper and good coordination and communication from officers, appropriate operational standards, good cooperation from officers, and good relations between officers and target groups. The inhibiting factors are lack of education and knowledge from the community, lack of participation of mothers under five in attending posyandu activities, the number of cadres is still lacking, budget funds are still lacking, facilities are not complete and lack of training for cadres. Suggestions put forward in this study are for the manager to optimize the budget, increase the number of cadres, complete facilities and conduct training for cadres, for officers to provide repeated socialization about nutrition education, and for posyandu cadres to visit children's homes to provide counseling or early counseling several times a month to the community in order to increase awareness of participating in posyandu activities regularly and following directions from implementing officer.