Genetic Perception Versus Nutritional Factors: Analyzing the Indigenous Baduy Community’s Understanding of Stunting as a Health Issue

This study investigates the challenges and opportunities in addressing public health issues in the context of stunting in the Baduy community. Baduy is a remote indigenous group in Indonesia. The Indonesian government and NGOs such as SRI and Dompet Dhuafa have attempted to abolish stunting. However, factors such as cultural aspects, communication gaps, and logistic problems prevent the optimization of health interventions. Midwives and other health workers have yet to win the community’s trust and provide quality services, but the lack of sustainable solutions further worsens their problem. This studyhighlights the urgency of culturally appropriate, long-term strategies that stay within the unique Baduy lifestyle and belief system, including integrating the tribal leaders into health campaigns. This study also seeks to explain the role of modern healthcare in the Baduy community, particularly the functional acceptance of modern medicine due to its effectiveness in treating severe health problems. However, controversies regarding access to healthcare for Indigenous peoples, especially regarding government resources for care in urban centers, reveal broader issues of healthcare equity in Indonesia. The study finds the need to advocate improved and culturally sensitive interventions, particularly in health communication and government support, to ensure sustainable improvements in public health for Indigenous peoples such as the Baduy.