Abdimas Polsaka

A “Klepon Si Centing” Training of breastfeeding counselor cadres to prevent stunting in cimahi city

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that is still a public health challenge in Indonesia, including in Cimahi City, which has a stunting prevalence of 9.4%. One of the efforts to prevent stunting is increasing exclusive breastfeeding coverage, which is still below the national target. This community service activity aims to increase the capacity of health cadres in breastfeeding counselling knowledge and skills through intensive community-based training. The program will be carried out in March 2025 in RW 06 Melong Village, the working area of the Central Melong Health Centre, Cimahi City, with eight cadre participants. Evaluation was carried out through pre-test and post-test using a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions that had been tested for validity and reliability, as well as participatory observation of changes in attitudes and skills of cadres. The results showed an increase in the average knowledge score of 33.1 points with a significant paired t-test result (p = 0.001). Qualitatively, participants showed increased self-confidence, skills in practising lactation techniques and oxytocin massage, and initiatives to form breastfeeding support groups to sustain education. This program contributes to cadre empowerment and is a potential strategy to support the acceleration of stunting reduction at the community level.

Nutritious food education and the practice of providing complementary foods are appropriate in efforts to prevent stunting

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem still a public health challenge in Indonesia. One of the factors contributing to the high prevalence of stunting is the lack of knowledge of parents, especially mothers, about balanced nutritional intake and proper practices of feeding Complementary Breast Milk (MP-ASI). This community service activity aims to improve the knowledge and skills of mothers under five related to the importance of nutritious food and the practice of giving MP-ASI in accordance with the guidelines of WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. The methods used are education through interactive counseling, demonstrations of making local food-based MP-ASI, and question and answer sessions. The target of the activity was 40 mothers with children aged 6-24 months in the Posyandu in the assisted area. The evaluation results showed an increase in participants' knowledge by 65% after participating in educational activities. In addition, 80% of participants stated that they were motivated to implement MP-ASI feeding practices that are in accordance with the principles of balanced nutrition. This activity also encourages the use of affordable and nutritious local food resources. With the increase in mothers' knowledge and skills in compiling and delivering MP-ASI, it is hoped that the risk of stunting in early childhood can be minimized. This service activity proves that education-based interventions and direct practices can effectively support programs to accelerate stunting reduction at the community level. The recommendation for the future is to expand the scope of similar activities with cross-sectoral collaboration, especially among health workers and posyandu cadres.

Hypertension gymnastics as a non-pharmacological intervention in lowering blood pressure

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Hypertension is a global health issue with a high prevalence, including in Indonesia. South Kalimantan has the highest rate at 44.1% among adults aged ≥18 and above. Most individuals with hypertension remain undiagnosed and untreated. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as hypertension exercise (senam hipertensi), effectively reduce blood pressure through relaxation and improved circulation. This community service program aimed to raise awareness and lower blood pressure among Anjir Serapat Muara 1 Village residents through health screening and hypertension exercise. The methods included an initial health survey, blood pressure measurements before and after the intervention, and several sessions of hypertension exercise. A total of 22 female participants were involved in this activity. Results showed that most participants experienced decreased blood pressure after the intervention. For instance, Mrs. S's blood pressure decreased from 159/103 mmHg to 148/100 mmHg, and Mrs. A's from 149/96 mmHg to 126/81 mmHg. Participants also showed high enthusiasm for the activity. In conclusion, the community well-accepted hypertension exercise as a non-pharmacological approach and effectively helps reduce blood pressure, demonstrating potential for sustainable implementation at the community level.

Improvement of clean and healthy family living behavior through a home visit approach by community nurses

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (CHLB) is a critical indicator in improving public health status. However, many families have yet to fully implement CHLB practices in their daily lives, particularly in areas with limited education and access to health information. This community service program aimed to enhance family-level CHLB through a home visit approach conducted by community nurses. The method employed was an educational and participatory approach, where community nurses conducted regular home visits over three months. Each visit included direct health education, environmental observation, discussions with family members, and distribution of educational materials on CHLB. Topics included handwashing with soap, clean drinking water management, environmental sanitation, and prevention of infectious diseases. Based on local health data, the program targeted 30 households in a designated community. The results showed a significant improvement in both knowledge and practice of CHLB among the targeted families. Approximately 85% of the families demonstrated increased scores in the CHLB evaluation post-intervention. Positive behavioural changes were also observed, such as consistent handwashing before meals and after using the toilet, as well as better household waste management practices. These outcomes indicate that the home visit strategy by community nurses is an effective method for promoting health behavior change at the family level. This initiative is expected to serve as a replicable model for other communities, with the support of cross-sector collaboration. It emphasises the importance of family-based empowerment in health promotion and disease prevention efforts.

Rational education on the use of drugs and self-examination of cholesterol levels for the people of Makassar City

Yuniharce Kadang, Zulfiah Zulfiah — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Health problems due to high cholesterol levels in the blood are a big challenge for the people of Indonesia, especially in urban areas such as Makassar. High cholesterol is closely related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other metabolic complications. On the other hand, the public's understanding of the rational use of drugs is still limited, so it has the potential to cause side effects, drug resistance, and decreased therapy effectiveness. The method of implementing the activity consisted of educational counselling related to the classification of drugs, how to use, store, and dispose of drugs correctly, as well as demonstrations of the use of cholesterol checkers (Easy Touch) using the Point of Care Testing (POCT) method. In addition, participants were given insight into the risk factors for high cholesterol and their control strategies, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups. The results of the activity showed high enthusiasm and participation of participants in the discussion and practice sessions. Brief evaluations through question-and-answer methods indicated an increase in participants' understanding of the importance of rational use of medication and initial skills in independent cholesterol examination. This activity not only fosters health awareness but also strengthens the function of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education in community service. Thus, this activity contributes to increasing public health literacy and encouraging the implementation of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in urban areas.

Rehat Dulu: Healthy youth mentoring for boarding school girls group at Muhammadiyah 2 senior high school

Ardiana Priharwanti, Isrofah Isrofah, Yulis Indriyani, Eko Budi Prasetyo — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Adolescence is a colorful and dynamic period, accompanied by a series of emotional upheavals that adorn the journey of a human being about to grow up. Adolescents, the largest age group in the Indonesian population structure, are the focus of attention and a strategic intervention point for human resource development. The most important step that must be taken is to increase attention to adolescent girls, because they face greater risks and are more vulnerable to the social environment. In addition to being the largest group (23% of the total population), adolescents have never received comprehensive and consistent attention. The group of adolescents who are in Islamic boarding schools or pondok environments, also known as boarding schools, are groups that often receive less attention, especially in terms of health. Reproductive health and mental health in adolescent girls are issues in Islamic boarding schools or pondok environments. Reproductive health is a state of perfect physical, cognitive, and social health, not only in the absence of disease or disorders, but also in terms of sexual and reproductive well-being. This includes the right of every individual to have a safe, satisfying, and fulfilling sexual life, as well as the right to have the ability to reproduce and the freedom to decide their own will in terms of reproduction without discrimination, pressure, or coercion. Adolescent reproductive rights are increasingly becoming an important topic to study in the modern era. This community service program aims to provide health education on reproductive health, mental health, and PHBS through "take a break" assistance. The purpose of implementing this program is for groups of students to be independent and effective in improving their health status through increased knowledge and changes in good practices, as a result of the program in the form of improving the quality of services to the community (groups of students) and scientific publications.

Assistance for pregnant women at risk in efforts to prevent pregnancy complications

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

High-risk pregnancy is a condition that can increase maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, so it requires special attention and treatment. This community service aims to assist pregnant women who are classified as high risk to prevent complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Implementing the activity includes health counseling, routine health check-ups, nutritional counseling, and early detection training on pregnancy danger signs. The service team involves medical personnel, midwives, and nursing students as facilitators and field assistants. The results showed an increase in participants' knowledge of pregnancy hazards (from 42% to 87%), an increase in adherence to regular antenatal visits (from 60% to 95%), and a change in healthy living behaviors in most participants. In addition, this program has succeeded in strengthening the relationship between the community and health workers and strengthening the family's role in supporting healthy pregnancies. In conclusion, this mentoring activity is effective in increasing awareness, knowledge, and readiness of pregnant women at risk in dealing with pregnancy and childbirth. Sustainability of the program and support from relevant parties are needed to reach more targets and strengthen the referral system for high-risk pregnant women at the primary level.

Education and training on the use of herbal medicines as complementary therapies for hypertension and diabetes

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are two non-communicable diseases with increasing prevalence in Indonesia, including in rural areas such as Kamulyan Village, Bantarsari Subdistrict, Cilacap Regency. Both conditions require long-term management using a holistic approach, including integrating complementary therapies based on medicinal plants. Unfortunately, community understanding of herbal medicine's proper and safe use remains limited. This community service program aims to improve the knowledge and skills of residents in Kamulyan Village in utilizing herbal remedies as complementary therapy for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The implementation methods included health education sessions on the introduction of hypertension and diabetes, as well as education on various types of local medicinal plants that are empirically proven to help control blood pressure and blood glucose levels, such as bay leaves (Syzygium polyanthum), bitter leaf (Andrographis paniculata), Phyllanthus niruri, cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus), and Tinospora crispa. In addition, practical training was conducted on preparing and processing these herbs into simple formulations that can be used independently at home, such as herbal teas, decoctions, and dried capsules. The activity was attended by 50 participants: health cadres, elderly residents, and patients with hypertension and diabetes. Through pre-test and post-test assessments, participants’ knowledge and skills related to herbal medicine usage were significantly increased. Participants also demonstrated high enthusiasm for cultivating and utilizing family medicinal plants (TOGA) around their homes. This initiative is expected to be the first step toward community self-reliance in maintaining health naturally and sustainably. In the future, further assistance and cross-sector collaboration are needed to develop the scientific, safe, and effective use of herbal medicine at the community level.

Empowering couples of childbearing age to become active family planning acceptors to create quality families

Uliarta Marbun, Irnawati Irnawati, Hasnita Hasnita — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

The Family Planning (KB) Program is one of the government's strategies in controlling the population growth rate and realising quality families. Couples of childbearing age (PUS) are the main target in this program, but many PUS still have not yet become active family planning acceptors, especially in rural and remote areas. This community service activity aims to increase the understanding and participation of PUS in the use of contraceptives through education and counseling. The implementation method involved lectures, discussions, demonstration of contraceptives, and using leaflet media and teaching aids to 20 participants in the work area of the Pattingalloang Health Center, Makassar. The activity results showed an increase in the enthusiasm and knowledge of participants regarding the importance of being an active family planning acceptor. Supporting factors for the activity's success include the support of health workers, cadres, and the availability of infrastructure, while time constraints and the number of participants are obstacles. It is hoped that this activity can strengthen the role of PUS in the success of the family planning program and create healthy, prosperous, and quality families

Balanced nutrition education as an effort to prevent stunting in toddlers

Dahniar Dahniar, Arisna Kadir — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Nutritional problems in toddlers, including stunting, wasting, and overweight, remain a major global health concern. Stunting is closely linked to specific deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, influenced by factors such as maternal education, family income, maternal knowledge of nutrition, breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding age, micronutrient adequacy, infection history, and genetics. This community service program aimed to increase maternal knowledge of balanced nutrition to prevent stunting in toddlers. The activity was conducted on January 20, 2025, at the Posyandu in the Pattingalloang Community Health Center working area, involving 20 participants, supported by lecturers, students, midwives, and local health cadres. Educational interventions were delivered through lectures, discussions, and Q&A sessions. Pre-test results showed that 65% of participants had good knowledge and 35% had poor knowledge regarding balanced nutrition and stunting prevention. Post-test results indicated an improvement, with 80% demonstrating good knowledge and only 20% remaining in the poor category. The findings highlight that targeted nutrition education can significantly improve maternal understanding and awareness, which may contribute to reducing stunting prevalence. Follow-up programs and home-based health services were also recommended to sustain knowledge and improve child health outcomes.

Socialization of making moringa pudding to increase HB levels for pregnant women with anemia

Hasnita Hasnita, Uliarta Marbun, Irnawati Irnawati — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Anemia remains a significant public health concern among pregnant women, with increased risks of complications during pregnancy, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Pregnant women require twice as much iron as non-pregnant women, making adequate iron intake essential. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves, rich in iron and essential nutrients, can potentially improve haemoglobin (Hb) levels. This community service program aimed to provide education on the benefits of moringa leaves and to demonstrate the preparation of nutrient-rich moringa pudding as a healthy, locally sourced alternative to prevent anaemia in pregnant women. The activity was conducted at Pattingaloang Public Health Center, involving 13 pregnant women. The implementation included lectures, leaflets, discussions, and demonstrations of moringa pudding preparation. Pre- and post-tests were used to measure participants’ knowledge. Results showed an increase in the proportion of participants with good knowledge from 77% before the intervention to 100% afterward. The active participation and enthusiasm of the attendees indicated high acceptance of the intervention. This initiative successfully improved knowledge and skills in utilizing moringa leaves for nutritional enhancement during pregnancy. It also encouraged community empowerment by promoting local food processing innovations. Sustained implementation of such programs has the potential to reduce anemia prevalence and improve maternal health outcomes.

OPTIMALCARE: Community-based homecare policy innovation in accelerating stunting reduction in Makassar City

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Dear Editor team,

Stunting remains a significant public health challenge in Makassar City, with prevalence rates exceeding national targets and World Health Organization thresholds. Contributing factors include socioeconomic disparities, limited access to healthcare, suboptimal parenting practices, and inadequate nutritional intake. The OPTIMALCARE program introduces a community-based homecare policy innovation to accelerate stunting reduction through integrated health services, family-centered nutrition education, routine growth monitoring, and a mobile nutrition monitoring application. This program engages health workers, Posyandu cadres, and community leaders to deliver proactive home visits, promote behavioral change, and ensure timely interventions. A participatory approach strengthens local capacity, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and leverages technology for real-time data collection and analysis. The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2, SDG 3, and SDG 17), regional development priorities, and national research agendas on child health and nutrition. Through targeted outreach, community empowerment, and evidence-based interventions, OPTIMALCARE aims to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance parental knowledge, and foster sustainable community involvement, ultimately contributing to a significant decline in stunting prevalence in Makassar City

Importance of the role of mothers in stunting prevention efforts

Irnawati Irnawati, Uliarta Marbun, Hasnita Hasnita — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

Stunting is a growth and developmental disorder in children caused primarily by chronic malnutrition and inadequate access to essential nutrients during critical early childhood. Mothers with adequate nutritional knowledge tend to prioritise their children’s dietary needs, enabling optimal growth and development. Preventing stunting is vital due to its long-term impacts on physical, cognitive, and economic potential. This community service activity aimed to enhance mothers' and families' knowledge, awareness, and skills in stunting prevention from an early stage. The program involved 20 women of reproductive age in the working area of Pattingalloang Health Center, Makassar. Activities included health education through socialization, discussions, and distribution of leaflets covering definitions, causes, prevention, and management of stunting. Interactive counseling sessions emphasized the importance of the First 1,000 Days of Life, balanced nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, and appropriate complementary feeding practices. The high participation and engagement rates reflected increased enthusiasm and awareness regarding stunting, an issue often underestimated in the community. Key supporting factors included active participation, health worker collaboration, and adequate facilities, while limiting factors involved time constraints and fewer participants than targeted. The program significantly improved mothers’ understanding of their crucial role in stunting prevention and demonstrated that community-based, participatory interventions effectively support national stunting reduction goals.