Effectiveness of Growth and Development Screening and Stimulation Methods among Toddlers in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia: a Quasi-Experimental Study

https://doi.org/10.33860/jik.v19i3.4270

Authors

  • Freny Ravika Mbaloto Diploma III Nursing Study Program, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bala Keselamatan Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
  • Estelle Lilian Mua Diploma III Nursing Study Program, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bala Keselamatan Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
  • Robi Adikari Sekeon Diploma III Nursing Study Program, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bala Keselamatan Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
  • Alfrida Semuel Ra'bung Department of Nursing, Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Keywords:

developmental screening, growth screening, toddlers

Abstract

Background: Stunting remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. The 2023 Indonesian Health Survey reported a stunting prevalence of 27.2% in Central Sulawesi, exceeding the national average of 21.5%. Stunting adversely affects early childhood development, yet developmental delays often go undetected due to limited developmental screening and inadequate training of health workers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of developmental screening and stimulation using the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and the Pre-Screening Developmental Questionnaire (KPSP).

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest non-equivalent control group design was conducted among toddlers (n = 34). Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric z-scores, while child development was evaluated using the DDST and KPSP instruments. Children who were ill, had physical disabilities, or had diagnosed developmental disorders were excluded. Data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests.

Results: A significant difference in nutritional status proportions between groups was identified based on anthropometric screening (p = 0.036). Developmental screening scores differed significantly between DDST and KPSP assessments (p = 0.001), with higher mean ranks observed for KPSP. Post-stimulation analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in KPSP scores compared to pre-stimulation results (p = 0.009), indicating the positive effect of developmental stimulation.

Conclusion: Developmental screening and stimulation significantly improved developmental outcomes in toddlers. The KPSP demonstrated higher sensitivity in detecting developmental changes compared to the DDST, supporting its use in community-based child development monitoring.

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Mbaloto, F. R., Mua, E. L., Sekeon, R. A., & Ra'bung, A. S. (2025). Effectiveness of Growth and Development Screening and Stimulation Methods among Toddlers in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia: a Quasi-Experimental Study. Poltekita: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 19(3), 479–488. https://doi.org/10.33860/jik.v19i3.4270

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